Asking for advancement
Ask for what is likely to be approved by your boss. Do not rely on chance, get your supporters lined up. Find motivations for them to supporting your case. Maybe one of them owes you a favor. Another might benefit from this precedent later on. The third would support for he is an opponent of your boss. Let your supporters know "by chance" when you make the request. Then they "spontaneously" intervene when talking to your boss. Approving your request may cost your boss less than going against your supporters. Take care not to overuse this strategy. You might get what you want but your boss would retaliate if she feels overrun.