Ask For It: How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get What They Want

This book is an absolute game-changer for any woman who has ever felt hesitant to speak up about her worth. The authors dive deep into 'bias without malice,' explaining how societal expectations often hold us back from even realizing we can negotiate. I found the anecdotes about women in various stages of their careers to be incredibly motivating. It isn’t just about the money; it’s about the confidence to ask for a better life. The writing style is down-to-earth and feels like a conversation with a very smart mentor. It’s a mandatory read for anyone entering the workforce or looking for that next promotion. The advice is practical and helps build that negotiation muscle starting with small, everyday asks.

Ever wonder why men seem to get ahead faster even when skills are equal? Babcock and Laschever prove it's often because they simply ask more frequently—four times more, to be exact! This book was an eye-opener that changed how I view every interaction, from salary talks to household chores. The data provided, like the study on school children and Hershey’s Kisses, is heartbreaking but necessary to hear. It’s empowering to realize that the 'no' we fear isn't actually the worst-case scenario. The writing is incredibly readable and the tone is encouraging without being overly preachy or academic. I’ve already recommended it to my daughter to ensure she starts her career with these tools.

Picked this up during a job transition, and the timing could not have been more perfect. As someone in academia, the idea of negotiation is often treated as taboo or even 'unbecoming,' but this book completely dismantled that myth. It provided me with the language to articulate my value without feeling like I was being aggressive or difficult. I actually used the tips to ask for additional resources that weren't in the initial offer, and my new employer was happy to provide them! It's not just about the paycheck; it's about feeling valued in your workspace. Truly a life-changing read for any woman in a specialized field where we are often taught to just be grateful for what we get.

Finally got around to reading this, and I’m glad I did, even if I have some reservations. The concept of being 'relentlessly pleasant' during negotiations was a huge takeaway for me because it addresses the very real social backlash women face. I appreciated the technical bits like defining your BATNA and doing your research before sitting down at the table. However, the authors could have spent more time discussing the potential costs of a poorly timed ask. It’s great to have chutzpah, but you need a large reserve of 'brownie points' saved up if you’re dealing with a long-term supervisor who might misinterpret your ambition. Still, it's a solid 4-star guide that I'll keep on my shelf.

After hearing so much buzz about this in my professional circles, I decided to give it a go. The truth is, negotiation isn't a battle, and this book does a great job reframing it as a collaborative conversation. I loved the emphasis on preparation and understanding what the other side values most. It taught me to ask for what I'm worth, not just what I need to survive. While I didn't love every single case study—some felt a bit dated—the overarching framework is incredibly practical. It gave me the boost of confidence I needed to negotiate my last contract, and it actually worked! It’s all about finding potential areas of compromise while standing your ground.

Not what I expected, but in a good way. I thought this would be a dry business manual, but it’s actually quite companionable and even funny at times. What surprised me most was how applicable the advice is to everyday life outside of the office. Since reading, I’ve started asking for better tables at restaurants and even bartering for services in my neighborhood. The book builds your 'negotiation muscle' starting with small stakes, which makes the big career asks feel much less daunting. My only gripe is that some of the 'stories' felt a little too perfect, but the core strategies are definitely legit and help you see opportunities you would have missed.

The chapter on preparation was worth the price of the book alone. I’ve always been someone who avoids conflict, so the idea of 'asking' was terrifying to me before I read this. Babcock and Laschever show that negotiation is really just a form of problem-solving where both sides can win. I appreciated the specific tips on how to frame requests to avoid the 'ambitious woman' backlash that we all know is real. It’s a practical, step-by-step guide that helps you build a reserve of confidence through research and strategy. A few parts felt a bit wordy, but the overall message is something every woman needs to hear. Whether it's a yard sale or a boardroom, you should always Ask For It.

Look, the information here is undeniably important, but the execution left me wanting more. The book is divided into parts, and you have to trudge through a lot of sociology and anecdotes before you get to the actual 'how-to' in Part 4. For a busy professional, the pace felt a little sluggish, and I found myself skimming through the middle sections just to get to the meat of the advice. It's insightful and certainly highlights the gender gap in negotiation styles effectively. I just wish it were more concise and focused on the tactical maneuvers rather than repeating the same points through different stories. It's a good faculty reading group choice, but be prepared for some repetition.

Honestly, I struggled to get through the first half because it felt so repetitive and slow. While I appreciate the core message that women should advocate for themselves, the book is packed with an overwhelming number of stories that feel a bit too idealistic. Many of these 'successful women' examples are unknown, making the advice feel less grounded in reality and more like filler. I was looking for concrete, step-by-step strategies right away, but I had to wait until the final sections to find anything actionable. If you enjoy long narrative case studies, you might like it, but for me, it was a bit of a bore and didn't offer enough proof for its claims.

To be fair, I think the authors have good intentions, but I really disliked the underlying suggestion that women need to mimic male behavior to succeed. It felt like the book was blaming women for being 'cheated' out of raises because they aren't aggressive enough. I found the tone a bit patronizing at times, and the sheer volume of repetitive examples made it a chore to finish. I’m all for empowerment, but this felt more like a collection of anecdotes than a rigorous guide with actual proof. There are better books out there that focus on changing the system rather than just changing the woman. Legit had to stop reading this due to boredom level halfway through.