Ask Outrageously!

Eight

Asking for Others

You may be great at asking for others, but not yourself. Two-thirds of people in the Ask Outrageously Study reported they are more comfortable asking on behalf of someone else—such as a client, a cause, a child, or a person in their care—than asking for themselves (see Figure 8). This is no surprise. It is easier to summon the courage and risk embarrassment when you request for those who rely on you.

You may have been conditioned by your family, school, community, or place of worship to think of others first. Maybe you learned that asking for what you want or asking for more than “your share” is selfish or reflects a flaw in your character.

In a culture that encourages sensitivity, respect, and good manners, people teach ...