The Power of A.S.K.ing

Have you ever had the opportunity to follow-up on a sales lead? Recently, I had such an opportunity to reconnect with an organization that I had been trying to secure as a client. Due to some new events and after multiple unreturned phone calls, I decided to ask for the decision maker within the department. After receiving the executive's name and finally making contact, I explained who I was, where I was from and how I could add value to their training request. A planned 5 minute telephone call turned into a 30 minute engaging dialogue where I learned even more about their needs and was asked in return if I had the experience to facilitate a second, separate engagement.

The point of this story is quite simple. How many times in life do we fail because we didn't ASK? For example, we receive only part of the information that we need and instead of A.S.K.'ing for the rest of the information we provide a response based on limited information. We rationalize this behavior because of our desire to respond quickly, to showcase our expertise, to show respect, to not lose a potential contact or sale, etc. Yet, if we had received all of the necessary information, how much different would the outcome be?

Many of us know when to ask, however, we may not understand why we need to ask. In exploring the various reasons for asking, there are 3 basic actions why we A.S.K:

Aspire ~ Solidify ~ Know

First, by A.S.K.'ing, we aspire to reach that next level of understanding. Remember, how young children are always asking "Why?" like "Why isn't the moon always round?" These endless questions provide opportunities for them to grow.

Reason number two centers around the need to solidify our current information or knowledge. By A.S.K.'ing, we take the time to ensure that our understanding is solid so that we can accept new knowledge into our existing experiences. Examples of this include such questions as: "Ask do you understand?" or my personal favorite "Does that make sense to you?"

The third reason we ask is to know something. Knowing questions are "Where are you going?" or "When do you want this project finished?"

A.S.K.'ing is truly an art that we refine over time through practice and awareness. Our continued practice and awareness create the balance so that we also know when not to ask. The question is then "Should I ask?"

"To know the road ahead, ask those coming back." Chinese Proverb

Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S. President of ADVANCED SYSTEMS, is the Process Specialist. With over 25 years of business and education experience, she builds peace and abundance by connecting the 3P's of Passion, Purpose and Performance through process improvement. Her ROI driven process solutions affect sustainable change in 4 key areas: financials, leadership, relationships and growth & innovation with a variety of industries. She aligns the strategies, systems and people to develop loyal internal customers that lead to external customers. As co-author of M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential:Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement due for June 2005 release, Leanne speaks nationally to a variety of audiences. Please call Leanne a call at 219.759.5601 or email leanne@processspecialist.com if you are seeking amazing results.

Copyright 2005(c) Leanne Hoagland-Smith, http://www.processspecialist.com

Permission to publish this article, electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included, with a live link, and the article is not changed in any way (grammatical corrections accept.)

---

Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Everyone Has Been Hurt...Part 1

I want to share some things with you that I... Read More

Believe in Yourself!

A near middle-aged man in one of my last workshops... Read More

A Feline Example On Courage

Fangs. Killer claws. Hisses, grrrs...and later, yelps. Who is not... Read More

You Can Make a Difference

When I study of world these days, I see a... Read More

The Secret Of Lasting Personal Change

Why do so many of us end up frustrated when... Read More

Myth And Reality

Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 2,... Read More

A Path To Peace

The root of discord and violence between people and nations... Read More

Everybody is Somebody

I wrote about my life and all that I have... Read More

A New Strategy

Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 3,... Read More

$12 And 90 Minutes To Change Your Life

Have you ever listened to self hypnosis tapes? Or listened... Read More

How to Guarantee a GREAT Day Every Day!

I have a standing interview every Monday morning on a... Read More

Self Acceptance ? Lessons From My Hair Affair

For our diet and, indeed, in every aspect of our... Read More

Change is the Only Constant

The physics professor with the unruly shock of white hair... Read More

Giving It Your Best - The William Hung American Idol Success Story

Never underestimate the power that comes from following your passion.... Read More

Wisdom of the Worlds Proverbs

You don't have to excavate diamond mines or oil fields... Read More

Dont Ask Your Doctor

Perhaps I should ask my doctor if there is a... Read More

Look To Trees To Help You Keep Balanced And Focused While Achieving Your Dreams

Do you remember looking up through the branches of a... Read More

Encouraging Blossoms of Achievement

The tiny dogwood sapling was only a twig when my... Read More

The Two Choices We Face

Each of us has two distinct choices to make about... Read More

Whose Decision

Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 5,... Read More

Dont Ever Give Up

There is a reason I never gave up. A reason... Read More

Lifestyle Changes ? A Conscious Choice!

Are you ready for a change? Is it time for... Read More

Increase Awareness With One Simple Question

There are many ways we can increase our own personal... Read More

Everyone Has Been Hurt..... Part 5

Continued...About a year later I met my husband. I met... Read More

What Footsie Taught Us!

We have just inherited a rag, tag and bobtail of... Read More