Whether you'd like a pay rise, promotion or more flexible hours, we're here to help with our 5 ways to get what you want at work.
1. Figure out exactly what you want
We like to think we know what we want in order to be happier, but far too often we see secondary goals being mistaken for primary goals. And when we achieve a secondary goal without also achieving the primary goal, we can be left feeling underwhelmed.
To figure out exactly what you want at work, challenge your assumptions. Ask a mentor or friend to guide you through a process of self-reflection.
2. Prepare to make the ask
No one is a mind reader, which means you need to ask for what you want. But the key is in how you prepare to make the ask.
When we don't prepare, we short change ourselves of getting what we want. We don’t allow the request to have a fair hearing and the answer is more likely to be no.
Before you make the ask, prepare for areas of resistance or concern that your manager might have. How will it impact the team? What is the best time to ask? What can you to assuage ease your managers concern? Once you’ve answered these questions, then schedule a meeting to discuss it together.
3. Don't make it all about you
The golden rule of getting what you want at work is to align what you want with what the business needs. Seems simple, right? But in our experience, this is often overlooked.
It’s easy to get caught up in ‘what’s in it for me’ and be less thoughtful about the perspective of others. This is risky. When it's all about you with no consideration of the business needs, the chances that your request will be received well are greatly reduced.
Let’s look at a flexible working request for example. We believe that with every win for you, comes a win for the business. When pitching your request, look for ways to express the business value of this arrangement and make that the focus of the conversation.
Maybe you're more productive at home because you have less interruptions. Maybe you can commit to full time instead of part time when the commute is reduced. Or maybe the trade-off in flexibility allows you to start and finish earlier or later to more easily link with your colleagues in different time zones.
Whatever it is, think like a marketer and know your audience.
4. Play the long game
When you make the ask don't go in guns blazing, expecting instant results. Play the long game.
Find out what your boss needs from you in order to agree to your request and stay on point with this consistently over time. It's a more subtle approach, but it works wonders and won’t leave your manager feeling ambushed or like you have laid down an ultimatum!
By approaching the ask in the way we recommend, you And, you'll have clarity on what your workplace needs from you in order to say yes.
In closing the conversation, let them know you'll work on these areas and agree to revisit the conversation in a specific timeline. That way you won't be rushed in your decision making.
5. Get to work
You know what you want, and you know what you need to do to get it. Now it's time to get to work.
Use the agreed timeline to work on the things your manager recommended and along the way look for opportunities to prove how you are increasingly meeting their expectations (and so meeting the needs of the business).
Keep the communication going during this time to ensure you stay on the same page and that if the business needs change, you know about it.
Ask for feedback on how things are progressing. And schedule in a catch up at the end of the time period to revisit your request.
Your manager will be far more likely to give you what you want when you've listened to what they need from you, demonstrated your commitment to meeting those expectations and remained patient.
Emily Bowen and Shelley Johnson are HR professionals and host the my millennial career podcast. For more on making a career change, check out their episode ‘Quarter Life Career Crisis’. This article was originally published on 17/05/2021