Anyone Wanna Switch?

One time on a plane, I observed a passenger boarding the plane and moving through First Class to call out with a grin: “Anyone wanna switch? First Class for 25B?”  The entire First Class cabin burst into laughter.

It was funny.

But it also made me think.

That passenger knew the odds were slim. But they still asked.

And suddenly, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the times we don’t ask.

How often do we stay quiet about the very thing we need?How often do we convince ourselves that the answer will be no, so we never even give it a chance to be yes?

But silence is a guaranteed “No.”

As a self-aware leader, I’ve learned that sometimes the most powerful shift comes not from what you get, but from what you’re willing to ask for. Whether it’s clarity, support, a seat at the table, or even just feedback, we often wait for someone to read our minds… instead of opening our mouths.

We fear being a burden.

We fear rejection.

We fear being seen as too much, too needy, or not enough.

But courage doesn’t mean we’re fearless—it means we ask anyway.

3 Steps to Ask for What You’re Afraid to Ask For:

1. Get Honest With Yourself What are you afraid to ask for? Why? What story are you telling yourself about what the ask might mean about you?

2. Reframe the Risk Instead of thinking, “What if they say no?” try: “What if they say yes?”Or even: “What will it cost me if I don’t ask?”

3. Lead With Transparency, Not Entitlement Asking with humility and clarity opens doors. People respect self-awareness far more than silent suffering or passive resentment.

   
   

That guy in 25B didn’t get his upgrade.

But he walked on and off that plane with courage, humor, and no regrets.

He asked. And everyone noticed.

As leaders, we owe ourselves, and our teams, that same bravery.

Reflection Questions for Self-Aware Leaders:

1. What am I afraid to ask for right now, personally or professionally?

2. What assumptions might be holding me back from making the ask?

3. Have I modeled courageous communication for my team, or do I expect them to be mind readers?

4. What’s one thing I could ask for this week that might shift my stress, workload, or clarity?

When was the last time I gave someone else permission to ask me for what they need? Whether you've been the asker or the askee, I'd love to hear how it felt for you.  CLICK HERE TO SEND ME A QUICK UPDATE!

YOU MATTER!