Ask and you just might receive…
Well I guess that was 2007. And didn’t it go fast. I’m not sure what you’re wishing for from Santa, but in my rounds of the silly season festivities, there was a common wish amongst many of the women leaders I spoke with: they’re wishing for a new job or a payrise, or both.
Perhaps you are too? In fact, many of the women I spoke with were seeking a new role due to frustrations in achieving the promotion or payrise they were wishing for in 2007. Or a perception that the blokes are getting a better deal in this regard.
But there was another theme running through the discussions as well. I questioned how many of these women had actually asked their boss for a payrise or promotion in 2007. In my small sample, the answer was none. Zip. Doughnut.
In one instance, I was at a function with colleagues from my consulting days. One of the guys, who was made partner before he was 30 and has gone on from strength to strength, had a clear message for the girls: ask, ask and ask for what you want. And if that falls on deaf ears, his advice? “Tell your boss you’ve been offered a job somewhere else. That’ll definitely get his attention”.
The blokes are 100% clear on what they want. And what they’ll do if they don’t get it. I wonder how many women can say the same thing, and are prepared to act on it?
So, this Christmas, why not ask for what you want? You’ll never know what you might get, if only you ask.
What’s your experience in asking for a promotion? Share your views on the sphinxx blog.