Impossible ask from your VP? Bring two alternatives.

Impossible ask from your VP? Bring two alternatives.

That was the advice I got from a former EMBA classmate when I faced a steep sales growth target that felt, well, impossible.

A flat-out “no” wasn’t an option. But signing my team up to deliver sales targets made of unobtainium wasn’t right either.

Her advice broke the deadlock: “Bring two paths forward.”

So I did. One focused on North America. The other included South America to balance seasonality. Both paths outlined what would need to be true to deliver the ask.

When we recently caught up, she shared more insights: sometimes the ask isn’t just about hitting a number — it’s leadership exploring options. So, bring data. Offer both a standard and a stretch. Be creative. Start a dialogue. And don’t be afraid to ask what’s really driving the request.

#Leadership #GrowthMindset #ProblemSolving #BusinessStrategy

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