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The Power Ask Coach

Jen Coken · Executive Leadership Coach

A coaching tool by Jen Coken

Ask for what you want.
And mean it.

Whether you know what you want or you're still figuring it out, you'll leave here ready to ask for it.

Here's what you'll walk away with
Your script will be built from your real situation — in your own words.

You have a saved ask.

Pick up where you left off, or start something new.

Where are you right now?

🎯
I know what I want
I'm ready to build my ask. Let's get straight to it.
Start building →
💭
Help me figure it out
I know something needs to change but I'm not sure exactly what to ask for.
Start here →
Getting started

You're building an ask for:

?
What do you actually want?
No editing. No judging. Just write it down.

Here's what I see all the time. You know what you want. You've known for a while. But somewhere along the way you learned that wanting too much out loud was risky. Too pushy. Too demanding. Not a team player.

So you pushed it back down and got back to work.

Pick the reason that resonates most with you. Be honest. Nobody's looking at your screen.

I've asked before and been told no. I stopped asking to protect myself from the disappointment.
I've watched someone else ask and get labeled difficult or aggressive. I decided the risk wasn't worth it.
I don't feel like I've done enough yet to deserve it. There's always one more thing to prove first.
I'm waiting for someone to notice and offer it. If I were really valued, I shouldn't have to ask.
I don't trust that I can handle a no. Not asking feels safer than risking rejection.
I've always put everyone else first. My needs come last. That's just how it's always been.

Now write it down. Not what seems realistic. Not what you think they'll go for. What you actually want.

Some examples to get you thinking — click one to use it as a starting point
I want a promotion and a salary that matches the job I'm already doing
I want more budget and resources so my team can do their jobs
I want a seat at the leadership table
I want credit for the work I've actually been doing
I want to move into a role that actually fits my strengths
Jen's coaching
1
Your Impact
What's the proof you're ready for this?

What have you actually delivered? Think beyond sales numbers. This is your evidence — the real, specific things that changed because you were there.

Impact looks different for everyone. It could be a process you built, a team you led through a tough transition, a project you saved, a system you created from scratch, a cost you cut, a problem nobody else solved. What changed because of you?

Click any example to use it as a starting point
Led a new onboarding process that cut ramp time in half
Managed a team through restructure with zero turnover
Built a program from scratch now used company-wide
Took over a failing project and delivered it on time
Grew pipeline and cut cost per lead significantly
Jen's coaching

Want to refine your answer? Edit it above and click Get coaching on this again.

2
Their Priority
Why does this matter to them right now?

Here's the thing — whoever you're asking is thinking "what's in it for us?" whether they say it or not. Your job is to answer that question before they ask it. What does your organization care most about right now, and how does your ask connect to that?

Think about what's keeping your leadership up at night. Is it growth? Retention? Cutting costs? A big initiative that needs the right people? Your ask becomes a lot easier to say yes to when it's connected to something they're already trying to solve.

Click any example to use it as a starting point
Company is focused on retention and my work directly impacts it
Leadership is focused on efficiency and I\'ve already delivered it
We\'re scaling and I\'ve shown I can grow without adding cost
Organization is focused on culture and my team leads on engagement
Jen's coaching

Want to refine your answer? Edit it above and click Get coaching on this again.

3
Your Clear Ask
Say exactly what you want. No hedging.

This is the moment most people soften, over-explain, or talk themselves out of it. Don't. State exactly what you want using recommendation language. Clear. Specific. No apology.

Language swaps that change everything:
"Maybe we could..." → "My recommendation is..."
"I was wondering if..." → "I would like to discuss..."
"I just wanted to ask..." → "I am asking for..."
"Is that okay?" → "Here is why."

Click any example to use it as a starting point
Promotion with specific title, salary, and seat at the table
Budget increase with specific allocation
A seat at the table with specific meeting named
Title change to match existing scope of work
Jen's coaching

Want to refine your answer? Edit it above and click Get coaching on this again.

Step 4: The Pause.

After you deliver your ask — stop talking.
Silence is power. The first person to speak is at a disadvantage.
Let your ask land. Let them sit with it.

5
Partnership
Invite them in without giving ground.

If they push back or say not right now — this is not where you cave. This is where you get curious. You're not retreating. You're finding out what it will take to get to yes.

Power phrases that keep you in the conversation:
"How do you see the path forward?"
"What would need to happen for that to become possible?"
"When is the best time to revisit this?"
"What would you like to see from me before we take that step?"

Click any example to use it as a starting point
How do you see the path forward?
What would need to happen for that to become possible?
When is the best time to revisit this?
What would you like to see from me before we take that step?
Building your ask...

Your Power Ask

Crafted. Coached. Ready to deliver.

Your complete ask script
A note from Jen

Send my Power Ask to my inbox.

Enter your name and email and I'll send your complete ask script and coaching note straight to you. It'll be there when you need it.

Want Jen's eyes on your ask before you deliver it? Book a 30-minute strategy call and talk it through in real time.

Book a strategy call with Jen →