What are you asking for?

There has never been a successful person who did it completely alone.  Never.  Even the lone novelist locked away in her cabin in the woods needed someone to print the book, needed someone to read the book, needed someone to provide the ink and paper.  Because of this, the time is going to come when you are going to need to ask someone for something.  More likely, you are going to ask a lot of people for many things. You will ask things of your employees, your boss, your customers, your suppliers.... The question is, how do you ask?  Do you ask clearly so there is no doubt what you are asking for?  Or are you sheepish in asking, so that the ask is fuzzy and lacks certainty? Do you ask once and then are shocked when it doesn't happen and complain that you can't believe the person is ignoring you? Or do you ask again knowing that people are busy and have other concerns? There is no need to be obnoxious or rude in asking, but make sure that the person you are asking knows what you are asking for. A clear ask is an important part of open and honest communications.