Making requests of other people—the kinds that elicit real responses, not noncommittal ones like “sounds good” or “that should work”—doesn’t come naturally to most of us. Maybe you need something from a junior colleague in another department, or perhaps you need to ask a direct report to do some work that’s slightly outside of their job description. How can you make your ask in a way that ensures follow-through? Break down your request into four elements.

* What do you want, and what would success look like? Be detailed about your expectations and spell out exactly what would constitute a “good job.”

* Who do you want it from? Choose a specific person. When you make a request to a team or a group of people, it’s possible that each person will assume someone else will do the work.

* When do you need it done by? Attach a timeline to your request. Specificity will set crystal-clear expectations with your colleague, which will in turn save time and energy that you might otherwise spend checking your inbox and following up.

* Why is it important? Be clear about what’s behind your ask. By contextualizing your request, you’ll improve the chances that it lands gently—without diluting your power.
This tip is adapted from “Mastering the Art of the Request,” by Rae Ringel
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