STRATEGY

It's relatively easy for a supervisor to agree to let you take a course on your own time, perhaps even offering to help with the cost. It's more difficult for a supervisor to let you change your work schedule. You'll just complicate things by asking for financial support as well, so plan on picking up the cost yourself. The class should be directly related to your current job. It's okay if it would result in a slightly expanded job description. It also must have an immediate benefit for the company, not just for you. Frame this as a request you're making in response to the supervisor's suggestion, even if you're inferring that suggestion.

TACTICS

• Attitude: You're doing this in response to your supervisor's input and for the best interests of the organization. It's not about you: it's about the company.
• Preparation: Always ask about suggestions for professional development when you're reviewed. Review all the free company‐sponsored educational offerings and take notes on why they're not sufficient. Find a specific class and develop a simple adjustment to your schedule that fits the class.

  
  

• Timing: The sooner your raise this issue after a review, whether positive or negative, the better. Don't forget to include the time you'll need to get from your office to the campus to take the class.
• Behavior: Hold this face to face if possible. It's much harder to turn down someone who is eager to help the organization and who is responding to a suggestion when they're sitting across from your desk.

ADAPTATIONS

This script can be modified to:

• Ask your supervisor for approval to attend a local seminar or event that's related to your industry or field.

KEY POINTS

• You're doing this in response to your supervisor's suggestion and for the benefit of the organization.
• You've explored all the other options and none of them provide what the company needs.
• This is all about a schedule change, not time off or financial support.
• Recap the rationale for the education, and why the other alternatives are lacking, in a concise “leave behind” memo.