How Do I Stop Chasing People and Get What I Need Quicker?
One of the most prominent subjects of my recent coaching sessions is chasing. People chase, and chase, and chase people and still – nothing gets done. Everyone wants to stop chasing people and have them just do what they’ve asked.
An example: You ask a colleague in another department to complete some high-priority analysis so that you can bring said analysis to your boss and make recommendations. You asked via email, some weeks back. Your email probably looked something like:
“Hi James,
My boss has requested I recommend a few strategy ideas on Friday next week. I need an analysis from you to make these recommendations, please complete asap and send to me via email.
Thanks, Clare.”
You then followed up with another email about a week later.
You then messaged them, and called.
It’s been a few weeks now – nothing. Each time you chased, you received a similar response; “Yes, yes. We are very busy. I’ll get to it asap.” A fob-off.
So, what 5 mistakes did you make?
Let’s take another look at your original email, the problem areas are bold.
“Hi James,
My director has requested I recommend a few strategy ideas on Friday next week. I need an analysis from you to make these recommendations, please complete asap and send to me via email.
Thanks, Clare.”
The Mistakes, explained:
Mistake 1: There was no deadline because in the first email, you said ‘asap’. No one understands ‘asap’ and it can mean anything. Don’t use it. You’ll be chasing people all week long.
Mistake 2: The deadline you did include was not specific. A deadline of ‘Friday next week’ is OK. Even better is Friday 05-09-25 at 4.45pm is better because it makes the deadline seem more real.
Mistake 3: A reason was not included. For example, ‘The reason we need xyz by is that, if we don’t have it by then, we can’t do the ABC.’ It’s more compelling to use the detrimental impact of not having this, than having it.
Mistake 4: You used your boss/client as a reason. ‘My director requires this by that date’. Yes, hierarchy is a genuine reason. But, the problem is that you lose influence because YOU are not asking. You need to ask; otherwise, you diminish your influence. The ‘boss influence’ can be used another time if you need it.
Mistake 5: A confirmation from them is critical to achieving what you need. When you ask for what you need by your date, ask if they can do it, because when they do say yes (Hopefully) you have their commitment, in writing.
If the person keeps missing the deadline, and there are no consequences, why would they then complete the task?
This isn’t a real question – because they wouldn’t. If there are no consequences of getting this done for them, or no change in behaviour from you, they aren’t going to get it done, and you’ll just be chasing people. To get a different result, you need a different behaviour. Otherwise, you are living the t-shirt: ‘If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got’.
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To Stop Chasing People, Your changes in behaviour could be:
Chase 1: Reiteration of the agreement – ‘This is what I think we agreed. Is this what we agreed?’ You want to make sure that the agreement was clear.
Chase 2: Explore why – Ask ‘How can I help you to get this done?’. You are offering help whilst reminding them that this is theirs to get done.
Chase 3: Reiteration of the impact – The reason we require this is XYZ.
This article was written by Darren A. Smith for The Grocer. Read this article on The Grocer.
