Ultimately, Getting What You Want Comes Down To One Skill, Having The Power to Ask
The Power to Ask was created to give you a way to approach every conversation with confidence.
It’s a clear, practical way to communicate for individuals and business leaders who want to ask with intention, negotiate with integrity, and build relationships that deepen respect instead of tension.
Sam Trattles has built her career on helping people navigate moments that define value, trust, and progress.
Before founding the Other Side, Sam shaped commercial and sponsorship strategies for organisations like Telstra, PwC, CreditSuisse, the AFL, Paralympics and the Sydney Opera House.
As an Adjunct Faculty Member at AGSM @ UNSW Business School and a Top 50 Small Business Leader, Amazon Bestseller and Winner 2022 General Business Best Book Winner, Sam is known for her ability to make complex ideas simple for women leaders, business owners, anyone who wants a new way of approaching the conversations that truly matter. Her work gives people language they can use to communicate their worth, hold their ground, and ask with confidence that feels genuine, not forced.
“People leave our sessions lighter,” Sam says, “because knowing how to ask takes a weight off your mind.”
Why Smart Leaders Struggle to Ask
If asking still feels harder than it should, you’re not alone
Take our 5-minute assessment to discover what’s holding you back from asking for what you want, need, or deserve.
You’re capable. You’re qualified. So why do you keep accepting less than you deserve?
It’s not because you don’t know what you want – you’re clear on that. The challenge is the hurdle between knowing and asking, especially when it matters most.
In five focused minutes, you’ll discover what’s holding you back in asking for what you want, need or deserve, how it shows up under pressure, and practical steps to shift it. Within minutes, you’ll receive a personalised report that shows you how to ask with calm confidence and clear intent.
Client Case Insights
What The Power to Ask Can Do for You
These are drawn from real stories and examples of how Sam Trattles has helped clients Ask and Receive what they wanted.
OPERA AUSTRALIA: NEGOTIATING INSIDE AND OUT
A multi-million-dollar partnership program built over 40 years, but siloed teams, inefficient processes and inconsistent partner management. Under the new CEO we were embedded with the team to refocus their purpose, rebuilt workflows, and created practical tools they could actually use. The result? Internal engagement up 80%, Partner satisfaction up 65%, Deal negotiation 45% more effective.
“You’ve made a real impact that will put us in a better place for the future.” – Rory Jeffes, CEO.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT: ATHLETE TRANSITION PROGRAM
Elite athletes retire and face a new world. Years at the top don’t teach you how to negotiate salaries, contracts, or career opportunities in the real world. For five years, we’ve led the negotiation training in the AIS Accelerate Program – teaching practical skills and building confidence. The result?
“We see a marked improvement in participants’ confidence and approach to negotiating. Each cohort has received consistently positive feedback” – Sara Heasly Program Lead, AIS.
STEADFAST INSURANCE: RESHAPE TO SAVE
When partnerships are chosen by ‘Chairman’s choice’ not strategy, it’s difficult to determine how to drive real value for money. We built a three-year strategy, negotiated exits and reshaped the portfolio. The result? Freed up $1M of their budget. Identified a further 46% of potential cost savings.
“It has been a great success!” – Laura McCallion, Marketing Manager.
RUGBY SOUTH AUSTRALIA: DIVERSIFIED REVENUES
The CEO was chasing every possible revenue stream and getting nowhere. We built an approach unique to SA. Narrowed the focus and put responsibility with the inner circle who care about growing the sport.
The result? The CEO stopped scattering energy. Resources now flow to opportunities that truly drive revenue. The right people own the relationships that matter.
TEACHERS MUTUAL BANK: RELATIONSHIP LEVERAGE OVERHAUL
The strategic partnerships team couldn’t prove their value internally, and struggled to leverage the external relationships they had, for growth. Other teams questioned why the function even existed. We built a negotiation strategy to guide growth and how to demonstrate worth across the organisation.
The result? Cross-silo friction ended, collaboration took over. External relationships now deliver significantly more reach and impact.
TROPFEST: FROM CANCELLED TO SOLD OUT IN 66 DAYS
The world’s largest short film festival cancelled with no money and broken trust. Founder John Polson needed someone who could negotiate a saviour deal and deliver an event in record time. We negotiated the $1.2M partnership with CGU Insurance, brought in EY for governance, and delivered the event in 66 days with a reduced budget and lean team. The result? Funding exceeded targets by 20%. 90,000 people showed up. Tropfest survived to celebrate its 25th year.
“Sam, you were instrumental in making this happen.” – John Polson, Founder and Chairman.
