Ask For It by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever Summary
Overview of Ask For It
Discover why women negotiate 4x less than men in "Ask for It" - the negotiation bible transforming careers across industries. Learn the four-phase strategy that's helping professionals overcome imposter syndrome and claim their true worth in every interaction.
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Key takeaways
The Power of Asking: How Women Leave Money on the Table
Imagine walking into your boss's office with sweaty palms to ask for a raise, then walking out with double what you expected. This isn't fantasy - it's reality for women who master the art of asking. Linda Babcock's groundbreaking research revealed a startling pattern: men initiate negotiations four times more frequently than women. The financial impact? A woman who doesn't negotiate her first salary stands to lose over $750,000 by retirement. This negotiation gap extends beyond money to promotions, desired assignments, recognition, and even household responsibilities. When Babcock discovered male graduate students were teaching their own courses while female students served as assistants, she asked her dean husband why. His answer was simple but profound: "More men ask." This observation sparked a research journey that would change how women approach negotiations in every aspect of their lives. The negotiation gap isn't just about money - it's about quality of life, career advancement, and personal fulfillment. Before you can negotiate effectively, you must identify what you truly want - not what others expect of you or what you're willing to settle for. This crucial first step requires distinguishing your authentic desires from societal expectations. Consider Michele, a successful high school principal who rediscovered her passion for drawing while cleaning her basement. Though her drawing class conflicted with work, she negotiated with her superintendent to leave early on Thursdays. This "protected creative space" significantly improved her wellbeing, showing how even small changes can profoundly affect happiness.
Breaking the Turnip Mindset: Recognizing Negotiable Opportunities
Recognizing Invisible Barriers: The Gender Bias Reality
Discovering Your True Value: Research and Leverage
Aim Higher Than You Think: The Target Effect
Make Rejection Your Friend: The Path to Getting More
Personal Fulfillment: Designing the Life You Deserve
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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