The Ask: For Business, For Philanthropy, For Everyday Living

Most of us don't like to ask for things - favors, raises, almost anything - when we think the person we'd be asking might say no. We think a "no" is a rejection, that a "no" is forever - and, because rejection makes many of us feel (wrongly) diminished, we don't even begin the process. Why go there, you might wonder, when all that will happen is you won't get what you want and you'll feel terrible to boot? This, even when we know that not everyone will reject us, even when we know we're asking for something legitimate. In my view, the fear of rejection is one of the larger psychological barriers to our well-being."The Ask" addresses that fear and deconstructs it. Like shining a light in darkness, what was unknown or perhaps even feared is seen clearly and, thus, better understood. In ten easy-to-read, well-written chapters, Fredricks takes us from why asking should be comfortable to confronting "the hardest asks you will ever make." In between, culled from her many years teaching the topic, are several examples and stories; many of them are fun to read and many will no doubt hit close to home (and many of those will be fun as well). You'll smile and see yourself. In "The Ask" Fredricks asks us to dig deep and confront the real reasons for our reluctance to ask.

Fredricks has a clear, proven model that makes asking so much easier. I've tried it in business and personal situations with great success. Her writing style is clear, very human and funny. This makes it very easy to stop being so afraid to try her methods. I bought the Kindle edition so that I had immediate access. I'll be buying a hardcover version as well and predict that it will be dogeared in short order. If you have trouble asking and/or getting what you want, this book gives you a three-step process that I can tell you works.

As a lawyer, I spend my days asking for things for my clients and for myself. This book gives you a clear-cut method and plan on how to ask for things successfully - and it REALLY works! I've already used the methods in this book to ask for everything from a promotion (got it), to a free rental car upgrade (got it), during a court hearing (won it), for help at home from my husband and kids (still working on this one ;) Seriously though, its an easy, fun read that will give you strategies to help you in all aspects of your life. It makes asking seem so easy.

Laura’s formula; two sentences and a question is brilliant! As a Financial Advisor and Investment Advisor "the ask" is critical. The real challenge is that everyone is bombarded by advisors for their business and not always in the most elegant way. Using Laura’s formula instead of making the clients feel uncomfortable and feeling "cornered", I am "partnering" with them for their betterment.

I love Laura Fredericks, she's cutting it all down in small pieces so you think it's a no brainer to do. Great read!

Love the examples of open-ended questions you can ask to find out the reason behind a "no" without coming off as overly aggressive. Also found the section on how to keep your ask on track invaluable--especially if they mean a negative response can be converted into a yes.

This is a 5-Star book for anyone who has goals and dreams and ever wondered how someone else succeeded—in short, this is a book for everyone! Laura Fredricks writes with such joy, zeal, and spot-on wisdom. She is The Master of The Ask. You can’t help but be inspired while marveling at the practicality of her approach to empower you to ASK for what you want and deserve! You’ll find yourself underlining feverishly and reading it not once but again and again.

Laura Frederick's The ASK is a great practical guide for asking for what you desire from business outcomes to personal outcomes. I am implementing many of her suggestions and they are working like a charm.Shelly Power