How to Ask for What You Need at Work (Without the Awkwardness)

Let's be honest – asking for what you need at work can feel like you're about to ask someone to donate a kidney. Whether you're requesting a deadline extension from a client, asking a colleague to cover your workload during tax season, or seeking mentorship from a senior partner, that pit-in-your-stomach feeling is real.

But here's the thing: advocating for yourself isn't just important – it's essential for your growth as an accounting professional. After working with 120+ bootcamp graduates, I've seen how the ones who master this skill are the ones who build thriving practices and advance their careers.

So how do you ask for what you need without feeling like you're being pushy or entitled? Here's what I've learned works:

Build Your Relationship Bank Account First

Think of every positive interaction as a deposit into your "relationship bank account." Before you need to make a withdrawal (your ask), make sure you've been making regular deposits.

This doesn't mean being fake or manipulative. It means being genuinely helpful and appreciative. Send that article about the new CRA updates to a colleague who'd find it useful. Grab coffee with someone and actually listen to their challenges. Thank your team member for staying late during month-end close.

When you do need to ask for something, you're not starting from zero – you're building on a foundation of goodwill.

Make Requests, Not Demands

There's a huge difference between "I need you to introduce me to your contact at XYZ Corp" and "I know you have great connections in the manufacturing sector. Would you be comfortable introducing me to someone in your network who might benefit from our services? If not, I totally understand."

The second approach gives the other person agency. They don't feel cornered or obligated. And honestly? When people feel like they have a choice, they're way more likely to say yes authentically.

This is especially important in our industry where relationships and referrals are everything. You want people to recommend you because they genuinely believe in your work, not because they felt pressured.

Don't Take "No" Personally (Seriously)

This one's hard, especially when you've worked up the courage to ask. But rejection isn't always about you – it's often about timing, capacity, or circumstances you don't know about.

Instead of spiralling into "they must hate me" mode, get curious. Ask follow-up questions like:

• "Is there a better time to revisit this?"

• "What would need to change for this to work?"

• "Is there another way I could approach this?"

• 
  

Sometimes you'll discover it's not a hard no – it's a "not right now" or "not this way, but maybe that way."

The Real-World Application

I see this play out all the time in our bootcamp community. The members who thrive are the ones who aren't afraid to ask their clients for what they need – whether it's timely document submission, payment terms that work, or boundaries around after-hours communication.

They've learned that asking isn't selfish – it's professional. And when you ask in a way that respects the other person's autonomy and builds on genuine relationships, you usually get what you need.

Your Turn

What's something you've been hesitating to ask for? Maybe it's time to make those relationship deposits and craft a request that gives the other person room to say yes authentically.

Remember: advocating for yourself isn't pushy – it's professional. And in an industry built on relationships and trust, knowing how to ask for what you need is a skill that will serve you well throughout your career.

Until next time,