Jen Coken · Executive Leadership Coach
A coaching tool by Jen Coken
The Power Ask Coach walks you through five steps to build a clear, confident ask — with real-time coaching at every stage.
What have you actually delivered? Name specific outcomes, numbers, and results — not how hard you worked.
Watch for this pattern: Leading with effort instead of outcomes. "I've been working really hard on..." is effort. "I led the project that reduced churn by 18%" is impact. Numbers and specifics always win.
What does your organization or decision-maker actually care about right now? How does your ask connect directly to that?
The invisible rule to break: Thinking your results speak for themselves. They don't — not until you connect them to what leadership already cares about. Bridge that gap out loud.
What are you asking for? Be specific. Use recommendation language: "My recommendation is... Specifically, I am asking for..."
Language swap: "Maybe we could..." → "My recommendation is..." | "I was wondering if..." → "I would like to discuss..." | "Is that okay?" → "Here is why."
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.
How do you want to handle pushback? Write out how you'll invite them into the conversation — without giving away your ground.
Power language: "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 demonstrated before that step?"
Crafted. Coached. Ready to deliver.
Like what you see? Book a call with Jen to take it deeper or talk through your ask in real time.
Book a strategy call with Jen →Enter your name and email and I'll send your complete Power Ask straight to your inbox. It'll be there when you need it.