In a recent LinkedIn post, customer experience expert Stacy Sherman shared a personal anecdote to underscore the importance of direct communication and engagement in achieving professional goals. Sherman used her mother’s advice as a guiding principle, emphasizing that without asking, opportunities are invariably missed.
The Power of Asking
Sherman highlighted a specific instance where she was nominated for the ‘Global Gurus Top 30 Customer Experience’ list. She framed the nomination not just as an honor, but as an opportunity to actively seek support, directly linking this to her mother’s long-standing wisdom.
“My mom taught me: if you don’t ask, the answer is 100% no. So here I am—asking. Can I have your vote?”
According to Sherman, this approach is crucial in many aspects of professional life, particularly when seeking recognition or support for one’s contributions. She believes that passive waiting is rarely as effective as proactive outreach. As Sherman notes, the act of asking itself is a critical step towards achieving a desired outcome.
Leveraging Influence for Recognition
The post further detailed Sherman’s rationale for seeking votes, connecting her request to the value she aims to provide to her network. She appealed to those who have benefited from her shared insights on customer experience, suggesting that their support would be a direct acknowledgment of the impact of her work.
“If anything I’ve shared has helped you deliver better experiences for customers, clients, teams, or anyone you serve (or you just like me), I’d be grateful for your support.”
Sherman’s strategy demonstrates a clear understanding of community building and leveraging professional networks. By asking for votes, she not only sought to influence her ranking but also implicitly reinforced her role as a thought leader in the customer experience space. She points out the efficiency of the process, stating:
“It takes less than a minute.”
This efficiency is a key consideration for busy professionals, making the request actionable and less burdensome for her audience.
A Touch of Personal Connection
Adding a personal and relatable touch, Sherman included a postscript that brought her mother back into the narrative. This element served to humanize the request and reinforce the authenticity of her message, drawing on familial wisdom.
“P.s. Mom, Eileen Brenner, I bet you’re you’re enjoying every bit of ‘I told you so’ energy right now.” 😉”
In Sherman’s view, this blend of professional advocacy and personal connection is a powerful combination. It allows her to communicate her value proposition while remaining approachable and authentic. The underlying message, as conveyed through her post, is that clear, direct, and confident communication, rooted in personal conviction and proven value, is essential for success.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Stacy Sherman on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on November 5, 2025 | View original post on LinkedIn →