July - September 2015 •
The Lion King
• 43
Productivity |
Feature
HOW TO
ASK
By Gabriel Odang
A
sking is an art. If you want to
get the right answers, you must
learn to ask the right questions
the right way. Here are four ways to
ensure that your asking gets the right
results.
1. ASK CLEARLY
Be precise. Think clearly. Use a note-
pad to design words that have the
greatest impact. Words are powerful,
so choose them carefully. Being inco-
herent won’t serve you well.
2. ASK WITH CONFIDENCE
After you figure out what you want
to ask for, do it with certainty, bold-
ness and confidence. This does not
mean brash, arrogant or conceited.
Confidence can be strength, but to
the people you are asking, it’s vis-
ible. The only negative thing that can
happen is that your request may be
denied. Does this put you in a worse
position than before? Of course not.
It just means that this particular route
to getting results is closed. So look for
another one.
3. ASK CONSISTENTLY
Some people fold up the tent after
making one timid request. They quit
too soon. If you want to unearth
the true riches in life,
you’ll need to
do a lot of ask-
ing. Treat it like
a game; keep
asking until you
find the answers.
Ask consistently.
In sales, there are
usually four or five
‘’NO’’s before you
get a ‘’YES.’’
4. ASK SINCERELY
When you real-
ly need help,
people will respond. Sincerity requires
being real. It means dropping the
image façade and showing a willing-
ness to be vulnerable. Tell it the way
it is, lumps and all. Don’t worry if
your presentation isn’t perfect;
ask from your heart. Keep it
simple and people will open
up to you. Also, your request
will be favoured; if you can
clearly show that you have
put in a lot of effort. People
are more likely to give you a
helping hand when you ask
for support.
There are many ways to ask,
learn all of them.
