Asking + Strategy = Advantage

God didn't sugarcoat the situation when He laid out His plan for Moses at the burning bush. "Ask Pharaoh for freedom," He instructed, "yet I know the king of Egypt will let you go only  because of a greater might." If Pharaoh was going to rebuff Moses, what was the purpose, of asking him for freedom in the first place?

Moses knew Pharaoh wouldn't grant his request to free the slaves, but he came asking for a smaller
concession--three days in the wilderness for the Hebrews to worship. If Pharaoh had shown some flexibility there, Moses might have chosen a different strategy for the rest of the struggle. But there was no flexibility; in fact, Pharaoh responded by heaping more burdens upon the slaves. Moses now knew where he stood and announced the first plague.

Taking the direct approach--going to the person who has something you want and asking for it--is an invaluable strategy not just in business but also in every realm of life. Yet people shy away form it, usually because they're intimidated. Oftentimes they don't want to overstep their bounds, or mix business with pleasure, or be perceived as too aggressive. Most of all, they don't to be rejected. Because so many people are reluctant to ask for what they want , if you do so, you'll gain a huge advantage.