Not long ago, I helped talented singer Omari Banks, from the beautiful island of Anguilla, land a singing spot at a club of his dreams—the Stephen Talkhouse in the Hamptons. He had been wanting to play there for ages. I knew it would be a great fit, and I made it happen.

At the time, I was on vacation in Anguilla, and when I heard him sing, I could already picture him at the Stephen Talkhouse, a place I’ve been frequenting for more than two decades. While others in Omari’s circle hadn’t been able to secure him a night there, I successfully did with just a few calls. The reason? I didn’t wait—I just asked.

Sometimes the best opportunities in life and business don’t arrive with an invitation—they arrive because you request them. If you’ve ever waited and waited for a big break, only to watch it go to someone else, it’s time to rethink your strategy.

Follow these guidelines to move up and pursue your dreams.

1. Plan and Prepare for the Ask

Take the time to clarify what you want in terms of your career goals and path. This could be in terms of salary, title, or promotion. Then you can look at the contributions you have made to a company in your current job role. Envision how you will act in your next position and be aware of how you can add value.

2. Communicate Early and Often

In my leadership roles, I have often found that some professionals miss out on key opportunities because they don’t talk to those in senior positions. I always encourage others to communicate with management to get their feedback. Ask about the company’s goals so you can be aware of what they are looking for. You might have a chance to do this as you prepare for an annual review at your company.

3. Use Open-Ended Questions

Start with conversations that focus on positive ideas. You might say some of the following phrases to those in leadership roles:

• “How do you see my position evolving here?”
• “What opportunities are available for growth this year?”
• “What would success look like for me in a leadership position?”

These kinds of questions can lead to insightful answers. You’ll learn what others are hoping for, and why it’s important to them. Those in leadership will likely share details about what they want to see in the company. You can then demonstrate how you can fit into the vision and support it in your new role.

4. Time it Right

In my book, The Champagne CEO, I discuss my longtime career mentor, Jenefer Lass, in depth. She taught me a multitude of lessons related to business, leadership, and sales, and she wasn’t afraid to ask, as long as the time was right.

Regarding when to put in your request, Jenefer told me about her rule of three. She would encourage me to spend one year in a new role to learn about it. Then take another year following the first one to really get comfortable with the responsibilities. It’s important to show success and goal achievements in your role. Then, during your third year, she would advise to start thinking about what you want to do next. You can then set up a plan and set the right time to make your request.

Throughout my career, I’ve reached out and asked, and by doing so, landed everything from the job of my dreams to the role of CEO and more. I always advise others who are looking to move up in their own industry to speak up—and to do so in the right way. If you’re prepared and have a smart approach, you too can achieve what you’re hoping for, and more.