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.)

---

Just Let ?Em Go!

I remember when I was just a little guy probably... 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

Self Help When Youre In Debt

It's no fun being in debt.Money shortages are always stressful... Read More

The Power of Courtesy and Kindness

I'm currently listening to The Secrets of the Power of... Read More

Songs of Life

I imagine when we die we find out how in-tune... Read More

Fulfilling Your Dreams: The Magic Of Starting

Fulfilling your dreams will remain a mirage if you simply... Read More

Nothing To Celebrate

Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 12,... Read More

Put To The Sword

Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 23,... Read More

Helen Keller: A Teller and a Seller

What are the odds of someone doing extraordinary things if... Read More

Justice Delayed

Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 22,... Read More

More Than I Can Bare

One of my long time best friends called me the... Read More

What Does Faith Have To Do With Marketing?

No, this isn't going to be a sermon or anything... Read More

Win Your Own Lotto

When people talk about enrichment, they are usually thinking of... Read More

Today is Yesterdays Tomorrow

The problem with waiting until tomorrow is that when it... Read More

The Seasons Of Life, Part 3 of 5

This week is part three of our five part series... Read More

The Most Powerful Question Ever Asked?

What if every experience in your life is sent to... Read More

Transform Old Grumpy

This is a true story. A woman had Snow White... Read More

Encouragement--Heart At Work

Encouragement can have a very powerful effect on bosses and... Read More

Brilliance in Balance

"For everything you have missed, you have gained something else;... Read More

Are We Ever Really Alone?

A new twist on a familiar quote - Chances are... Read More

Journaling for Two

Journaling is a powerful tool that can enhance our lives... Read More

Have You Ever Felt GOD in You?

God is the primordial Creative Force that is believed to... Read More

I Hate My Computer and Other Inspirational Thoughts

The New Year has not started out very well for... Read More

5 Things That Americans Can Do To Remember Reviving, Surviving and Thriving in the Wake of Sept 11

For those people who lost friends and loved ones... Read More

In Tall Grass

My best friend, Ryan, told me last night he got... Read More

A Journey of a Thousand Miles

There is a Chinese proverb that says, "A journey of... Read More

Looking for a Better World - What Every Person Can Do!

Each night, when I put my head on the pillow... Read More

To Raise Your Frequency, Just Turn on the Joy!

The feeling response to being filled up with Love from... Read More

The Family

Direct Answers - Column for the week of January 19,... Read More

Live After 40

"For man, as a specie, and unlike other inhabitants of... Read More

Save the Planet with Your Joy!

Your own level of frequency raises or lowers the overall... Read More

How to Conquer Fears and Worries

"More than any other time in history, mankind face a... Read More

Spirits Language: How to Tell Whos Who in Your Inner Conversations

Your Spirit is continuously beaming communications to you. As long... Read More