Ask For It
Empowers women through negotiation strategies for personal and professional gains.
Summary of 6 Key Points
Key Points
- The societal conditioning against women negotiating
- The personal and professional cost of not negotiating
- Overcoming fear and guilt related to asking
- Strategies for effective negotiation
- Practical tools and exercises to build negotiation skills
- Real-world success stories of women negotiators
key point 1 of 6
The societal conditioning against women negotiating
The book discusses societal conditioning as a significant barrier towards women negotiating. It argues that social norms and expectations often discourage women from initiating negotiations due to the fear of backlash or being perceived as ‘aggressive’ or ‘pushy’. This conditioning is deeply ingrained from childhood, where girls are often taught to be agreeable and accommodating, while boys are encouraged to assert themselves and compete…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 6
The personal and professional cost of not negotiating
The personal cost of not negotiating can be extensive. You may often find yourself compromising your own needs and wants, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction and frustration. If these feelings persist, it can escalate to a point where self-esteem and confidence are eroded, making it even more challenging to assert oneself in future situations. This cycle can be self-perpetuating and hard to break free from, leading to a stagnation in personal growth and development…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 6
Overcoming fear and guilt related to asking
Overcoming fear and guilt associated with asking is a recurring theme and it is highlighted as a significant barrier to success. Many individuals often fear rejection or the possibility of appearing needy or greedy when making requests, which ultimately hinders them from achieving their goals. The feeling of guilt also adds to this fear, with the underlying worry that one’s request might come off as bothersome or demanding to others. This perspective emphasizes the importance of overcoming these emotional hurdles to ensure more effective communication and negotiation. ..Read&Listen More
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Strategies for effective negotiation
Strategies for effective negotiation, as provided in the book, start with the vital realization that negotiation is about creating a win-win situation rather than a zero-sum game where one party wins, and the other loses. The goal is to collaborate and create a solution that is beneficial to both parties involved. Equally important is to enter a negotiation with a clear understanding of what we want out of it. This understanding would entail a detailed study of the needs, interests, and potential issues that might arise, which would ultimately enable us to make more informed decisions and strengthen our negotiating position…Read&Listen More
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Practical tools and exercises to build negotiation skills
Practical tools and exercises to build negotiation skills are a crucial part of ‘Ask For It.’ These tools and exercises are designed to help individuals become more confident and proficient in negotiations. They include self-assessments, role-play scenarios, and step-by-step guides. These exercises provide a hands-on approach to understanding the nuances of negotiation, allowing individuals to practice and improve their skills in a safe and supportive environment. ..Read&Listen More
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Real-world success stories of women negotiators
The book is rich with stories of women from various walks of life who have successfully negotiated in their personal and professional lives. These stories serve as practical examples demonstrating that negotiation is not just a theoretical concept, but a practical skill that can yield tangible results. They vividly illustrate the many ways women have used negotiation to achieve their goals, from salary increases and promotions to better working conditions and more equitable distributions of household chores…Read&Listen More