4 Ways to Ask Your Boss For a Favor.
- 1. Telegraph it. Let your boss see the request coming before the specific words actually come out of your mouth. This is as easy, says communication ...
- 2. Leave guilt out of it. Don’t feel bad or weird about asking for a favor; it will only hinder the process, writes UMass Amherst psych professor ...
- 3. Give a reason. People are more likely to respond positively to a request if they know the why of it, says Glickman. Explain your needs concisely: ...
- 4. Offer an out. Much has been written recently about how giving your time and energy to others ultimately increases your odds of success, personally ...
- Be Direct. I have a favor to ask you. ...
- Offer a Compliment. There's a reason why you're asking this specific person. ...
- Don't Procrastinate. Being asked for a favor is one thing. ...
- Offer an Opt-Out. ...
- Be Prepared to Reciprocate.
Should you ask your boss for anything?
However, your boss should be there for you. Moreover, an ability to communicate openly and respectfully with your boss is guaranteed to earn you respect and trust going forward in your career. If you want to skip ahead to the asks, you can go ahead: Asking for anything can be uncomfortable, but let's dive into why it's that way in the first place.
How do you ask someone to do a favor?
Use the following 5 steps: Step 1: Consider how your favor impacts them. Step 2: Ask with the expectation that your favor will be granted. Step 3: Don’t lie. Step 4: Hold on to your power. Step 5: Be very specific about what you’re requesting.
Should you ask your boss for a raise?
Here's The Answer We're taking the mystery out of asking your boss for what you need. Asking your boss for something—whether it’s a raise, vacation time, or more work—can be a scary proposition. But why? There’s a ton of fear around asking for what you want or—gasp!—what you feel you deserve in the workplace.
How do I ask for feedback from my boss?
Think non-confrontational, balanced and specific in a way that doesn’t make your boss feel awkward and on the spot. I recommend starting the conversation over email. Here’s a template you can use to get the conversation started. I wanted to schedule time for us to discuss what you thought about [the item (s) you want feedback on].
What does it mean when you ask for a favor?
When you ask for a favor, you’re essentially doing sales. You’re selling someone else your needs at the cost of their time, energy, and/or money. And that’s what you’ve got to realize: It’s not all about you. While this favor benefits you in some way, you’re putting this person out in another way.
Why is empathy important?
Having empathy like this is absolutely necessary for two reasons: It lets you talk to the person you’re selling to on their terms. You can relate to them and speak their language. Think about it: How you ask for a favor from your boss is a lot different than how you ask for a favor from your friend. It lets you adapt as the “sale” happens.
What happens if you threaten to leave a bank?
Banks want your money however they can get it, but if you threaten to leave the bank they’ll clear any charges in no time. I’m not saying threaten to terminate a friendship or partnership because they’re not presenting what you want on a gold platter. Instead, lead into the conversation with something organic.
Why is burnout considered a serious illness?
It’s because, for some workers, it’s very, very real—and it bleeds into their relationships, physical well-being, and mental well-being. Here’s how to ask your boss for more support in your role.
What is opportunity cost?
In investment terms, an opportunity cost is a benefit an individual, investor, or business misses out on when choosing another alternative. While we all know you are much more than an investment to your boss (or at least you should be!) it doesn’t hurt to bring this bargaining tactic to the table.
What is the anchoring effect?
The anchoring effect is a cognitive bias that describes the human tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information offered to them—otherwise known as “the anchor.” Once the anchor is presented, all judgments are made around the anchor.
What happens if you don't ask for what you want?
If you don’t ask for what you want, you don’t ever expose yourself to the chance that someone will say no. That’s how rejection-based fear works . But, as any old inspirational basketball poster will tell you, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Take the shot.
Why is flexibility important?
Whether you're looking to work from home permanently, a few days a week, or for a certain period of time, it's going to be crucial to do most of the legwork, to explain the benefits, and to develop systems that keep lines of communication open.
Can you ask for a day off from your boss?
If you have a close relationship with your boss, you might ask for a day off in a face-to-face conversation. However, it never hurts to write a follow-up email or ask in writing. This also makes it easier for your boss to track your PTO or vacation days.
Is negotiation easy?
Negotiation can be scary, especially when it involves money. We’re not here to tell you that negotiation is easy and can be learned overnight. However, we are here to tell you that knowledge is power. Come to any negotiation prepared with research, results, data, and numbers whenever you can.
What to do after a favor is granted?
After the Favor is Granted. When someone does something for you, always follow up with a verbal thank you and a note to follow up. You don't need to go on and on, or you'll make the person uncomfortable. A favor is a gift, regardless of whether you're on the giving end or the recipient. Read More.
Is it easy to ask for a favor?
Asking for a favor isn't easy, especially if you don't feel that you have something to give back. However, not everyone expects you to return the favor right away. There might be something you can do later, and you should be happy to let the person know you'll remember her kind deed in the future.
Do you think twice about asking for favors?
Most people don't think twice about being asked for favors, unless you come across as needy and constantly want something. If asking for favors makes you uncomfortable, you're in good company. Many people ponder, fret, and worry before they finally get the nerve to ask someone for what they want or need.
Do you cross the line with a doctor?
Don't cross the line. If you are friends with a doctor, you might ask a quick question without overstepping the boundaries. However, if you expect your doctor friend to give you a complete physical on personal time, you are definitely crossing the line. The same goes for any profession.
2. Offer a Compliment
There’s a reason why you’re asking this specific person. You think she’s the best person for the job, meaning she has already demonstrated expertise or credibility in the area where you need some help. Well, why wouldn’t you let her know that?
4. Offer an Opt-Out
Spoiler alert: No matter how strategic you are in asking for favors, not everybody is always going to want to help you out. That’s right, you’re going to get shot down every now and then.
5. Be Prepared to Reciprocate
How many times have you said or heard, “Thanks, I owe you one!”—only to never have anything come of it? It’s an empty promise that most of us never follow through on.
1. Consider how your favor impacts them
When you ask for a favor, you’re essentially doing sales. You’re selling someone else your needs at the cost of their time, energy, and/or money.
2. Ask with the expectation that your request will be granted
However, if you feel like you’re putting them out by asking for this favor, stop. You’ve already failed.
4. Hold on to your power
Nobody likes a needy person. But if you act like you don’t really need your favor granted, you’re more likely to get what you want.
5. Be very specific about what you want
When you ask for directions, would you go up to someone and say, “How do I go somewhere?”
How to be more fulfilling than receiving?
People are inherently good and they like doing things to help. Giving is said to be more fulfilling than receiving. So keep in mind that your goal is twofold–to get what you ask for and to do it in a way that enables the other person to feel good about helping out. The best way to do this is to always give the other person the opportunity to easily and graciously decline. No one feels good about doing a favor that is “put” to them. A favor you don’t really have the option of opting out of is not so much a favor as a command.
What does it mean when someone asks you to do something?
In Robert Cialdini’s iconic book Influence, he showed that if you ask someone to do you a favor, you have better luck when providing a reason; people react positively to the word “because.” Even if the reason makes no sense or is unrelated to the request, people like to know why they’re being asked to do something. Presumably, your reason does make sense and is directly related to your request — so go ahead and share it.
Who is Jodi Glickman?
Presumably, you will pay it forward at some point along the way. Jodi Glickman is a keynote speaker and the CEO of leadership development firm Great on the Job. She is the author of Great on the Job and a contributor to the HBR Guide to Networking. You can connect with her online here .