Asking people for things.
WHY MANY REQUESTS FAIL
They are unclear, buried, or effortful to answer.
WHAT A GOOD REQUEST CONTAINS
What you need, specifically Why By when How little effort it requires
WHY THAT LAST POINT
People answer easy requests first.
WHAT TO DO
Make answering as easy as possible.
HOW
Provide the information they need Offer options rather than open questions Draft what you are asking them to approve
WHAT EXAMPLE SHOWS IT
Instead of asking when someone is free, offering three specific times.
WHY
It converts an open question into a choice.
WHAT TO AVOID
Requests with no deadline Requests to a group with no named person Requiring them to find information you have
WHY GROUP REQUESTS FAIL
Everyone assumes someone else will act.
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
Name the person.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT LARGE REQUESTS
Break them into a first small step.
WHY
Agreement to something small is far easier.
WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS NO RESPONSE
Follow up once, restating the request briefly.
WHAT TO ASSUME
That they missed it, not that they refused.
WHAT TO DO ON A SECOND FAILURE
Change the channel or escalate.
