IAM2708 – How Mastering the Art of Asking Unlocks New Doors
Special Episode by Gresham Harkless Jr.
The Courage to Ask
Gresham Harkless opens this special episode by challenging the fear of rejection that often keeps entrepreneurs stuck in a rut. He argues that success is a direct result of being willing to ask the questions that others shy away from. By mastering the “art of asking”—whether for a raise, a connection, or a new opportunity—leaders can transform their lives and unlock doors they never imagined. The core message is that hearing “no” is not a failure, but rather a necessary stepping stone leading toward an eventual “yes”.
The Blueprint for Non-Linear Success
Drawing from over a decade of experience and more than 1,600 interviews, Harkless reflects on the reality that business growth is rarely a straight or linear path. Instead, he describes success as being more like a “plate of spaghetti,” full of twists and turns. To navigate this complexity, he introduces a foundational success equation: Visibility plus Resources times Connections equals Success. This formula serves as a guide for entrepreneurs to strengthen their business principles and level up their impact.
Curating CEO Wisdom
In this special segment, Harkless shares a curated collection of “CEO hacks” and “nuggets” derived from thousands of phenomenal guests. He emphasizes that true success comes from running your own race rather than trying to follow someone else's blueprint. This episode acts as an educational journey designed to empower business owners to embrace discovery and start chasing their dreams immediately. By the end, listeners are encouraged to take a leap and realize their true potential through the power of one bold question.
Previous Episode: https://iamceo.co/iam2707-building-a-system-for-consistency-and-success/
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Transcription:
Gresham Harkless 00:00
The people that are successful often ask the questions and dare to ask them that other people shy away from. So are you ready to embrace and embark on this journey of discovery and empowerment? Start today, right now. Ask that question. Chase that dream. Transform your life. Your next great opportunity might be one question away. And realize that your life is often a direct result of the questions that you're asking and willing to ask as well too.
If you're building something meaningful, you're in the right place. This is the I Am CEO Podcast. I'm gresh, and for over a decade I've had the honor and the privilege of Learning directly from CEOs, entrepreneurs and business owners just like you on how to build after recording more than 1600 episodes, one thing has become clear. Success isn't about following someone else's blueprint. And as I like to say on the show, if you run your own race, you can't lose, even when you feel the journey should be a straight and linear path. What I've come to find out is success is a lot more like a plate of spaghetti. So in this special segment and episode, I'm starting to curate and share some CEO hacks and CEO nuggets that I've been dying to share. Drawn from thousands of episodes with phenomenal guests that have provided awesome value on the show, but also my 10 years of business experience as well too. These lessons are designed to strengthen the foundational principles that every business is built on and guided by a simple equation that we always go back to with our content. Visibility plus resources times connections equals success. This is practical wisdom you can apply almost immediately, so be sure to check out the show notes for more resources and next steps on how to level up. And of course, enjoy this special episode of the I Am CEO Podcast.
Gresham Harkless 01:56
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to get everything they wanted while other people seem to be stuck in a rut? Answer is pretty simple. It's a lot simpler than you think it is. It's about mastering the art of asking instead of holding back, imagining for that opportunity, that connection, that raise, whatever it is that you're ultimately trying to do. What could you change? Too often, the fear of rejection ultimately holds us back. But what if I told you that hearing no just might be the beginning of something great? Let's delve into why framing your questions effectively can unlock doors you never imagined. Each no is not a failure, it's a stepping stone leading you to an eventual yes. Now picture carrying this confidence into every area of your life. How transformational could that be? I think that the right way to ask is the educational journey we've invited you on today. By embracing this approach, you're not just learning more about others, you're learning more about yourself as well, too. Understand this. The people that are successful often ask the questions and dare to ask them that other people shy away from. So are you ready to embrace and embark on this journey of discovery and empowerment? Start today, right now. Ask that question. Chase that dream. Transform your life. Your next great opportunity might be one question away. And realize that your life is often a direct result of the questions that you're asking and willing to ask as well, too. Join us by embracing the art of asking, and watch as your world expands with possibilities. Here's to taking a leap and discovering your true potential.
