In a recent LinkedIn post, Suzanne Lucas explores the nuances of making requests in the workplace, particularly when delegating tasks. Lucas presents a scenario involving a team lead needing a spreadsheet of outstanding projects and offers four distinct approaches to asking a colleague, Bob, to complete the task. The core of her post lies in dissecting which of these approaches is most effective and why, offering valuable insights into communication and delegation.
Analyzing Different Request Styles
Suzanne Lucas highlights the common challenges leaders face when asking for help, emphasizing that the way a request is framed can significantly impact its reception and the outcome. She posits that while many might default to certain communication styles, one particular approach stands out as the most effective for clear delegation.
Lucas introduces the scenario with a direct question to her audience:
“You just so happen to run into Bob in the kitchen. What do you say to Bob?”
She then outlines four possible ways to ask Bob to create the spreadsheet, ranging from a direct command to a highly apologetic and indirect plea.
The Direct Approach vs. Indirect Pleas
The first option presented by Lucas is a straightforward request:
“Hey Bob! Good to see you! Can you create the spreadsheet of outstanding projects and get it to my by end of day?”
Lucas contrasts this with more indirect or apologetic styles. Option C, for example, leans on expressing personal burden:
“Wow, Bob, I am swamped. It would be so awesome if someone created that spreadsheet of all outstanding projects. It would just take such a load off me.”
This approach, according to Lucas, can come across as manipulative, attempting to elicit sympathy rather than clearly assigning a task.
Another style Lucas examines is the overly deferential request, exemplified by option D:
“Bob, I’m so sorry to even ask, and I know you’re super busy and this is probably a huge inconvenience, and you can totally say no, but… could you maybe possibly help with a little spreadsheet?”
As Suzanne Lucas points out, this style, while perhaps well-intentioned to avoid imposing, can create confusion and undermine the authority of the requester. It places an undue burden on Bob to decipher the actual need and makes the request seem trivial or overly burdensome due to the excessive preamble.
Effective Delegation According to Lucas
While Lucas doesn’t explicitly state which option is ‘best’ in the provided text, her framing and the analysis of the other options strongly imply that clarity and directness, when coupled with politeness, are key. Option B, which attempts a more conversational approach, is:
“Hey Bob! Can you believe it’s almost 2026? So many things left to do. Like, I really need a spreadhseet of all outstanding projects. Should take an hour. Okay?”
Lucas’s post serves as a practical guide for professionals on how to communicate expectations effectively. By presenting these contrasting styles, she encourages readers to reflect on their own methods of delegation and the potential impact on team dynamics and task completion. Her insights suggest that while rapport building is important, a clear, concise, and respectful request is generally the most efficient way to delegate tasks and ensure they are understood and acted upon.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Suzanne Lucas on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on November 14, 2025 | View original post on LinkedIn →