Ask and You May Just Receive

We’ve all heard the saying “ask and you shall receive”.  I took a few minutes to investigate where this saying generated and learned that it’s from the Bible.  Depending on the version you read, the verse is from the Book of Matthew.  “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened onto you.”

Let me tell you, this verse really applies at work.  If you never ask for what you want, how will you get it?  More times than not (I mean hundreds of times more) people aren’t thinking about what you want; they’re thinking about what they want.  That aside, they are usually open to hearing what you want if you help them understand how it will benefit the organization.

Countless times I’ve seen people make up a story for themselves about why their request will be denied.  Let’s say that you want to get some type of certification.  You look at the tuition reimbursement plan and you don’t see that it covers this type of certification.  Some people might just stop there and not bring it up with their manager and either pay for the certification themselves or they give up on the dream because it feels too far out of reach.  Others will go for it and get it paid for by the company.

Some of the most successful requests I’ve seen over the years are in the form of a well-constructed summary of how the certification will not only help the person but how it’ll help the organization.  Maybe part of the request is that they will sign an agreement to repay the cost of the certification if they leave the organization within a year or don’t continue to meet or exceed expectations at work.

Let’s say that you want to ask for a raise.  If so, be sure to understand the level of compensation you could get if you left the organization.  It’s always good to know what you’re worth no matter what, so doing the research is time well spent.  If you feel that you’re being paid at a level that is not acceptable to you, then you need to prepare your thoughts in advance of meeting with your manager.  Your comments might sound like this:

I am working hard to add value to you and the organization.  I’ve consistently met or exceeded performance expectations.  While I am grateful for all that I have experienced here, I am not paid at the level that reflects my experience and contribution.  My research shows that this role with my level of experience is paid (convey the $ amount).   I would really appreciate your considering paying me more in line with the market or helping me understand what I would need to do to reach that level of compensation.

As you can see, there’s no threat to leave the organization.  The commentary is simply stating the facts and your request.  I’m not saying that your manager will approve your request, but you’ll never know if you don’t ask.  Sometimes managers simply don’t know that they’re paying you less than you deserve.  And, of course, sometimes they do know this, but they don’t have the budget so they’re hoping you’ll not pressure them for more pay.

Again, you should do your homework, and if you want something speak up.  Years from now, you will never regret having asked for something if you know you did it professionally.  You will regret looking back and realizing that you never spoke up for the things that were important to you.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened onto you.”

If it truly matters to you, GO FOR IT!  Good luck!