WHAT THIS BOOK IS ABOUT
The Ask is a blueprint for building the future in community. It's about breaking the rules that no longer serve us, unleashing curiosity to find new paths, and having the courage to ask for what we need—from ourselves, from each other, and from the systems we're trying to change.
This isn't a book about going it alone. It's about recognizing that we thrive in hives—that the boldest visions are built by people who dare to ask, who refuse to accept the status quo, and who understand that transformation happens when we build together.
HOW THE BOOK IS ARRANGED
PART 1: THE AUTHORS' ASKS
Katie Mehnert and Eric Shapiro lay the foundation, challenge the assumptions that have held us back, and pose the hard questions that every leader must face. They share their own journeys of breaking rules, unleashing curiosity, and building the future—and invite you to do the same.
PART 2: THE COLLECTIVE ASKS
Read the stories from the front lines—21 builders who broke the rules, got curious, and asked for a better future. These are the visionaries rewriting the rules of energy, business, and leadership. Their stories are proof that we are all in this together, and that transformation happens when we build in community.
PART 3: THE ANSWERS
These chapters give you actionable tools to build your next strategy and systems for the new future. From frameworks to exercises, this section is designed to help you get going—to turn insight into action and ideas into impact.
PLUS: THE COMPILED ASKS
At the back of the book, you'll find a comprehensive list of compiled "asks"—practical prompts, questions, and challenges to help you break through barriers, spark conversations, and take bold action. Think of it as your quick-reference guide for making your own ask.
THE BOOK IS JUST THE BEGINNING
This book shows you why bold questions matter and what it takes to build the future. But it doesn't leave you there. The Bee Suite shows you how—with a community of builders turning ideas into impact, where real work is happening every day.