You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get

Jason Channell
Jul 24, 2017 · 3 min read

Noodles. It all started over some really good noodles. I’ve been going to Howard Wang’s in Dallas a lot. Great upscale Chinese food with solid prices and large portions. One of those places with a trifecta so rarely found. When you’re there a couple times a week, staff get to know you. One of those guys is the newly promoted manager Will. You know the type — mid-20s, youthful energy, recently married with a kid on the way. Super nice guy and hard working. Always takes great care of us when I stop in with friends.

I stopped in the other day after work at WrightIMC, and grabbed a seat at the bar. Will was working the bar and we started chatting about how things were going with the restaurant and him.

Me: I’ll have the Singapore noodles with chicken and beef. Oh…how’s the recent promotion going?
Will: You know…it’s going good but been rather crazy. Did I tell you the last manager quit with no real warning? Just up and gone. Did I mention my wife is 6 months pregnant too? Crazy. The move up to a management role is a good step. I’ve worked here for about 3 years as a server. They tend to open a new restaurant every few years. If I do well here, I may be in line to manage the next opening.
Me: That’s good. If I can offer one piece of advice..it’s a small company…you don’t really get this chance the same way in bigger companies… see if you can get a piece of the pie if you’re managing a restaurant for Howard.
Will: There is NO WAY that’s going to happen. Not gonna happen. It’s a family run business…his son likely will take over. I can’t even ask the question man. It’s just not possible.

Singapore Noodles — Howard Wang’s Uptown

As I ate my Singapore noodles — excellent with just a touch of yellow curry flavor — I thought about what Will said. He wrote off the possibility without even asking. I offered free advice. Sadly, most people value advice at the price they paid for it. I greatly wanted to take Will aside, and let him know a few things. I wish I could tell him:

“Will, one of the best things I’ve learned in life is — you don’t ask you don’t get. If you sat down with Howard and asked him how you could be made a partner in the business, I pretty much guarantee outstanding things would happen. Even if the answer was no, Howard would see you in a different light. He’d know you came to play ball. You’d immediately stand out from the others working for him. I pretty much guarantee NO ONE has ever asked him that.

Most folks just want to come in, do an ok job and go home. No one asks how to become a partner in the business. I’d be baffled if ANY of his employees EVER asked him for more than a raise or extra time off. Even if the answer is no, who do you think he’s going to consider for the next promotion? The guy with the balls to respectfully ask him to become a partner, or the guy who just collects a salary? Your name gets moved to the top of the list, I guarantee it. If you hear no. That’s it. The only consequence. Just a word many are scared to hear.

If the answer is yes, you have an outstanding victory. One you didn’t initially think possible. You’ll share in a strong and well run business. That’s where the money is. You’ll have a slice of the pie.”

The Ascent

A community of storytellers documenting the journey to happiness & fulfillment.

Jason Channell

Written by

Digital Marketer, BBQ Connoisseur, Libertarian, and motorcycle enthusiast.

The Ascent

A community of storytellers documenting the journey to happiness & fulfillment.

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