Be Direct Use these phrases: I ask that you… I request… Will you please…? Please do [specified action]… Avoid these phrases: I is a statement, not a request.) want… (This I (This is also not a request.) need… Why (This is a question, not a request.) don’t you… [specified action] needs to be done. Also avoid very indirect requests that identify a problem but specify an approach to don’t address the problem. When a request involves more than one person, identify the roles and expectations for each person Clarify Action Tie the action to an expected or desired outcome. Ask the the item or action produce the question “Will intended effect?” As the person fulfilling the request, ask for clarification Consider other potential consequences Conditions of Satisfaction Specify delivery parameters: What format(s) are acceptable? Preferred? To whom should it be delivered? What method(s) of deliver are acceptable? Preferred? Specify quality parameters: Is there a minimum quality standard? How will quality be judged? Is there a benchmark, example, or template that can be used as a reference? Clarify Time Frame ASAP is not a time frame. Specify a time, such as 9 a.m., close of business (COB), or end of day (EOD). If the need is driven not by a date but by another contingent event, specify and make a plan for how the status of the contingency will be communicated. Define flexibility and constrain it. noon, but Tuesday COB is Good: “Preferred Monday at soon enough.” this week if you Poor: “Sometime can.”
Be Direct Use these phrases: I ask that you… I request… Will you please…? Please do [specified action]… Avoid these phrases: I want… (This is a statement, not a request.) I need… (This is also not a request.) Why don’t you… (This is a question, not a request.) [specified action] needs to be done. Also avoid very indirect requests that identify a problem but don’t specify an approach to address the problem. When a request involves more than one person, identify the roles and expectations for each person Clarify Action Tie the action to an expected or desired outcome. Ask the question “Will the item or action produce the intended effect?” As the person fulfilling the request, ask for clarification Consider other potential consequences Conditions of Satisfaction Specify delivery parameters: What format(s) are acceptable? Preferred? To whom should it be delivered? What method(s) of deliver are acceptable? Preferred? Specify quality parameters: Is there a minimum quality standard? How will quality be judged? Is there a benchmark, example, or template that can be used as a reference? Clarify Time Frame ASAP is not a time frame. Specify a time, such as 9 a.m., close of business (COB), or end of day (EOD). If the need is driven not by a date but by another contingent event, specify and make a plan for how the status of the contingency will be communicated. Define flexibility and constrain it. Good: “Preferred Monday at noon, but Tuesday COB is soon enough.” Poor: “Sometime this week if you can.”