How to Ask for What You Need at Work
For many people, especially women, people of color, and LGBTQ+, asking for something can feel risky and intimidating. We often tell ourselves that we should just be happy with what we have. It’s a problem that, when you boil it down, reveals that we often don’t think we deserve what we want or need. We often stand by in the workplace while our more confident co-workers get raises and promotions that we are equally deserving of, all because they weren’t afraid to ask.
While we can’t fault our co-workers for that, we also need to realize that it doesn’t have to be this way.
Why it is vital to ask for what you want and need at work
No one is going to just hand you something, especially in the workplace. Your manager does not know that you are ready for a promotion or overdue for a raise if you do not tell them so. Our work would speak for itself in a perfect world, and our busy leadership would take notice and fairly compensate us.
Sometimes, this is true. But, more often than not, our work goes unrecognized, and we tell ourselves that if we just work harder, eventually we'll get what we want and need. This can lead to a vicious cycle that slowly depletes us of the enthusiasm we have for our work.
It is also vital to ask for resources to develop your skills. For example, registering and participating in conferences and forums benefit you and your employer, but only if you do the legwork.
How to gather your courage
If you’ve never done it before, asking for what you need can be a challenge. Here are some ways to help you ease into the ask:
Be positive – make a list of the things about your job that you appreciate and are thankful for. Then, use those aspects to lead the conversation. Being able to start right out of the gate on a note of positivity will make it easier to transition to your request. Plus, emphasizing the positive establishes a cooperative vibe, making it easier for management to recognize that helping you is in their best interest.
Know your audience – it's easy to think only about what we want or need, but your odds of success will be greater if you consider what the other side needs. Considering your manager's needs will lead to a more productive conversation and ease negotiations.
Know exactly what to ask for – figure out ahead of time precisely what you want and need and how much negotiating you are willing to do. You will feel, and appear, more confident.
How to stay brave
Getting comfortable with vocalizing your needs and wants takes practice. There are several things you can do to maintain your momentum and develop your skills, such as:
Find a supportive community of like-minded professionals who are dedicated to self-improvement and helping others.
Regularly remind yourself that it is not selfish to ask for what you want in the workplace. The stakes, i.e., burnout and being under-compensated, are too high.
Support others in their journey to speak up for themselves. After all, when you learn, teach.
It can be challenging at first to ask for what you want in the workplace, but the good news is that it gets easier to speak up with even just a little practice. Your confidence will grow. And, with that confidence, you will be empowered to make the most of your workplace or seek opportunities elsewhere. To fast-track your growth and development, contact the experienced, talented professionals at Leadership Delta today.