How do you get someone in another department to do something you need that isn’t important to them

Posted on by
How do you get someone in another department to do something you need that isn’t important to them?
Imagine you’re on a deadline that’s important to you. The
project might not qualify as “mission critical” to the rest of
the organization, but it’s certainly essential for your own
team. So far, so … ordinary.Now you run into a road block: a task wherein you need input
from someone from another department, or where you need the
other person to actively do something.  Sometimes, your request is a distraction to the other person’s business goal.
The key thing that you have already realized is that this isn’t important to them.  SO – they ARE doing you a favor.

Do not approach this as “they are the road block”.  Instead – approach them as a valued consult or mentor.  Make it easy for them to do this favor for you; and be prepared to do the work.

Approach with appreciation, admiration, and friendship.
Some recommendations:

1) Invite them to (and pay for) lunch or dinner to interview them on this topic.

2) Approach it as if you are gathering valuable information from them — AND YOU ARE NOT ASKING them to do the work.

3) Share your current situation and ask their advice on how to go about accomplishing it.  Ask them what they think your next step should be.  People often give their opinions and advice freely.  Take advantage of this human trait.
4) Be prepared to do the work, with the information and advice that they give you. (This may mean that you create the spreadsheet with their information.  Or that you do the research from the links and pointers that they give you. Or it may that you right your own recommendation and ask them to edit as they see fit.  Or that you do all the leg work and make it easy for them to sign-off.)
5) Do everything that you can possible do to reduce their effort and time.  Make it easy for them to help you. This monkey on your back is your monkey – not theirs; therefore, you are responsible for feeding your own monkey and not pass it onto someone else’ shoulders.

6) Ask permission for a follow-up  so that they could review your mid or final draft of your project.

7) If they say they can not help, emphasize how much you appreciate their time and admire their experience in this area.  Then ask them to recommend someone else that they think would be a better fit for this project.

Approach the topics with an appreciation of their time, their talent and their experience.  Treat them as special.  Realize that they are in the best at what they do and therefore are in much in demand.

End-Game:  The job isn’t done once you get what you want. It’s only just begun.

  • Don’t forget the THANK YOU:   And when they do come through for you – publicly recognize them in either a mention in your project proposal, Thank You Note to their superiors, and/or a gift of appreciation.
  • Reciprocate:  Take the time to learn about their various projects and volunteer your services in the near future.