Exceptional Leadership · 2026-08-16 · 16 min
Don’t Just Ask. Build the Case. As leaders, we regularly need our bosses to approve funding, resources, strategic initiatives or changes in direction. But too often, the request is simply: “I want X.” The problem is that a good idea isn’t enough. Decision-makers need confidence that the request is based on evidence, that the problem is real, that the proposed solution makes sense, and that the investment is justified. In this episode, I explore how leaders can build that confidence by preparing a concise briefing note before making a significant request. We look at the evidence you should gather, the questions your briefing should answer, and how to present the problem, options, risks, costs and expected benefits so your boss can make an informed decision. Because effective leaders don’t just make requests. They make it easy for others to say yes.
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