Stop Whining and Ask For What You Want!

When you want something, the best way to get it is to make your request in a straightforward and positive way. You should not expect your boss or co-workers to read your mind and know what your expectations and desires are. Nor should you brood about the fact that someone else has not recognized what you think is obvious to everyone.

If it is important to you and you really want it, then bring it to your boss' attention. Here are 8 steps you can take to get your requests granted at work.

How to Succeed at Getting What You Want at Work

  • Think through your request. Spend some time planning and/or writing what you will say, how you will say it and any anticipated reactions (positive or negative) to your request.

  • Describe the WIFT (What's In It for Them). Articulate the value of your desired outcome, any benefits that will result, mistakes that will be avoided, or money that will be saved by granting your request.

  • Be prepared with at least one viable alternative. You should have at least two possible ways your request can be granted-the most desirable solution, and another solution that you could accept. Only offer your alternative solution if it is clear that your original request will not be granted.

  • Choose constructive and affirmative words to make your request. When asking for something at work, most people tend to start their sentences with negative phrase followed by a but and finally ending with the request. In almost every instance where this is done, the request is not granted.

  • Make your request simple, concise and direct. Simple to grant, brief and to the point, sincere and straightforward.

  • Find the right time. Timing is very important. Be alert to your boss' moods, and when he or she may be under a great deal of stress. Avoid making a request when a major deadline is due or you've just made a mistake. Watch your personal timing as well. Steer clear of those times when you are feeling low or overly excited.

  • Select the right person to grant your request. Make sure that you ask the right person--the one who has the authority to give you what you desire.

  • Show appreciation. Once your request has been granted, show your appreciation by saying, thank you. Even if it's not your desired outcome, still show your appreciation for what you did receive.

    • Let's face it, you will not always get what you want, but you may regret it if you don't try. Don't be afraid of a negative response. If it is important enough for you to ask for it, then do some more homework and try again at a more opportune time.

    It's essential to keep a positive attitude, balanced perspective, and a high level of performance whether or not you get what you want on the job. Once a decision is made, if it is not your desired outcome, you should accept it and refrain from whining and complaining. As you do this, you demonstrate professional maturity--a very attractive competency indeed!

    Althea DeBrule, entrepreneur and seasoned human resources executive, has focused for more than 30 years on helping people achieve their career goals. Creator of The Extreme-Career-Makeover? and a founding partner of RADSGroup Organizational Consultants, she is recognized for her bottom line and practical application of career development and management strategies in a way that penetrates hearts and compels action. She speaks and teaches with inspired talent, humor and contagious zeal at management conferences and leadership retreats nationwide, and has been featured in CFO Magazine, Strategy@Work, Human Resource Executive Magazine. Althea is the author of Bosses & Orchards, a compelling and candid book about how to make your work relationship with your boss succeed. To discover how you can take your career to a new level, visit http://www.extreme-career-makeover.com/


    More Resources

    The Perfect Fit: Women & Franchising
    An interesting combination of factors at this time in history may be the reason so many women are turning to franchising to fulfill their entrepreneurial desires. Women's increased financial power, better education, and corporate experience, combined with their desire for more autonomy and desire to connect with others who share their values make franchising a great fit for many women.
    3 Secrets to Landing a Home-Based Position
    Landing a telecommute position isn't easy. Finding them in the first place is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
    Using Recruiters: How To Get A Step Ahead Of The Crowd
    When there is an opening to fill, a company has four basic approaches at their disposal:? Advertise the position on Internet job sites? Network? Probe the Internet for viable candidates? Use recruitersWhen a company advertises an opening on an Internet job site, they receive hundreds of resumes. It simply is too long of a process and financially prohibitive to review every resume and move through each step of the interviewing and selection process to fill the opening.
    Top Ten Networking Strategies To Get A Job, A Promotion, Or Make A Sale
    Whether you are networking to find a new job opportunity, gain a promotion, or close a sale, you have two main goals with the networking interaction:1. To be remembered so that when opportunities appear, people will think of you as the perfect person to handle things,2.
    How Can Qualifications Help Your Proof Reading Career?
    For those who are looking for a career as a proofreader, it is important to have the right qualifications. It is important to remember that this is a proper job.
    Job Tips For The Frustrated Job Seeker
    There is nothing more frustrating and depressing when you are out of work and trying to find a job and your job search is going no where. Don't feel bad, you are not alone and there is a good reason why searching for a new job can be so difficult.
    Supplement Your Skills and Improve Your Work Position
    It is often said that the majority of people are but a few checks away from homelessness. Without a consistent income, this may be a true statement.
    Resume Writing Dos and Donts
    5 Interviewing Tips To Get That Job!
    Anyone who is a jobseeker knows that looking for a new job or career is a job in itself. Once you have completed the laborious task of writing your resume and submitting it to various companies, you now have to pass the screen test to get the job.
    Kill the Hype
    She was waiting for me when I returned from a meeting. Standing outside my office door, I could tell by her downward glance, Jodie was not there to give me good news on the project.
    How To Conduct A Successful Job Search Campaign
    1.Define your objective: Know what kind of work you most enjoy and perform the best.
    Your Attitude Is Screaming
    There is more attitude around than the 'traditional 'positive / negative attitude. This issue's topic will expose you to the other kind of attitude.
    Are Your References Ready?
    One of the most common forms of background check performed by companies hiring new employees is the reference check. They typically request that candidates provide them with three names of previous bosses.
    How to Answer The Most Difficult Interview Questions
    The following 'difficult' questions are common to most tricky or adversarial interviews. In order to convince the interviewer that you are the best person for the job, you must prepare and rehearse your answers meticulously.
    When the Teacher Becomes the Student
    A relationship expert once said that during an argument, there's usually three sides to every story: his side, her side, and of course, the truth.This is something we must definitely keep in mind as teachers.
    Searching for an Executive Job
    A job search for executives is far less complicated today than it has been in the past. Anyone who is looking for an executive job can simply look to the Internet where there are hundreds of employment websites, with many specifically geared towards executives.
    Make A Lasting Impression With Interview Etiquette
    (Des Moines, Iowa - February 2, 2005) Behaving appropriately during every course of an interview is just one way to increase your success with finding a job. Here are some tips to consider before you're seated across from your interviewer.
    Why Well Produced Career Portfolios Are Replacing CVs
    What is a Career Portfolio?The original portfolio used by artists looking for work was simply a collection of works demonstrative of the artists style and ability. Because their works varied in size and shape, portfolios came in all sizes and shapes.
    Intuition: The Secret To Your Career Success
    For far too long, we moderns have relied on our analytical/logical brain to make important life decisions. It is my belief that our imaginative/creative brain holds the key to better, smarter and more soulful decisions.
    Feedback: Take It or Leave It ... But Get It
    The expense was substantial. An immersion workshop with twelve participants sharing a common goal to hone their skills.

    More Careers & Employment Information:

    Related Articles

    Resumes OR CV : Get That Job
    Your resume is your sales document. It tells the world of your achievements, capabilities and roles you have enjoyed.
    Is a Career Change on Your Horizon?
    Making a career change is nothing new in today's job market.I've heard it said that the average American changescareers at least once in his or her life.
    Using The Internet For Job-hunting
    The Internet is a very useful tool for job seekers as it is a great source of information. Also, taking into account of a more wired world, getting online has never been easier.
    Job Interviews and The Secret of Selling Yourself
    A very effective and persuasive tactic when selling something is to promote its benefits as well as its features.Very simply, features are what something has; benefits are what those features do for you.
    Vocational Experts 7 Proposals to Solve the Unemployment Problem
    The subject is constantly in the news and may decide thenext national elections - the infamous jobless recovery.More than 8 million Americans are out of work with another 4million underemployed or no longer looking for work.
    Students Searching for a Job
    Searching for a job has become easier than ever for those who are graduating from school and looking to enter the workforce. Many schools offer guidance services as well as networking opportunities for graduates looking for work after finishing school.
    Job Interviews: Succeeding with Panel Interviews
    These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of three-to-six interviewers.A "team approach" to finding the best candidate can be beneficial for the employer.
    A Day in the Life of a Freelance Copywriter
    Ever wanted a job where you could spend all day, every day, writing clever and inspiring prose? Yes? Well don't become a freelance copywriter!Don't get me wrong, it's a great job, and for some of us it's a calling that won't be denied. And you definitely do get to write clever and inspiring prose.
    Yesterdays Hero
    Wonder Woman makes it looks so easy. She gets up every morning, fights the good fight, calls it a day, and starts the whole process all over again.
    10 Warning Signs That You're Ready for a Career Transition
    1. You dread getting out of bed and going to work.
    How To Write A Job Winning Resume That Puts Yours On Top
    Many people would love to get a better job. And most of these same people have the proper training and skills to achieve this goal.
    How People Really Explore New Careers: What Does A Real Career Search Look Like?
    The traditional model of career choice suggests a linear pattern. Get to know yourself.
    The Interviewable Resume
    It is rumored that the only word William Shakespeare wrote on his resume was "Available." We'll probably never know if that is true.
    Culture Shock
    Today we hear much talk of the 'global village'. People are have more opportunities to travel and live abroad than ever before.
    Wanted: A Diva for the Job of a Lifetime!
    "When I was a child, I always thought the world was mine, A stomping ground for me, full of opportunities. I always had this attitude that I was going to go out into the world and do all the things I wanted to do.
    The Path of Least Resistance
    I spend a bit of time on airplanes. So, I was surprised by what I observed on a regional jet.
    Common Resume Myths & Misconceptions
    For the person crafting their first résumé the task can seem a little bit daunting, even a bit frightening. Human Resources [HR] specialists, résumé writing professionals, school advisors, and even friends and family members all have their say.
    Why Employers Want an Employee with a Degree
    You wake up in the morning, head to work, and find out your company is downsizing and you are being laid off. No big deal you think, you have experience, you've worked at the same company for years.
    Interview Presentation Skills: Dealing With Your Nerves
    Sooner or later, the interview invitation is going to say you are required to give a presentation as part of the selection process. And like most people you may dread having to do it.
    How to Make Money as a Reflexologist
    Being a reflexologist is one of the top five career choices in the field of holistic health. The trend shows that more and more people are turning toward holistic practices to enhance traditional medical therapies.