We never get these in recruiting do we?

From the great morning newsletters from TechRepublic

Let's talk about how these relate to our profession...

Pick your battles
Remember the story of the boy who cried Wolf!? Eventually, when the wolf did attack, no one came to help the boy. In the same way, make sure that when you take on the bureaucracy, it's really worth it. Must you have a change in the way things are done now? Does it truly make your life or work unbearable? The tips below can help you, but keep in mind that in using them, you are spending political capital. If you can live with the current situation, it might be best to save your battles for truly important things.

Determine what you really want
When faced with obstacles or frustration, it's common to focus so much on them that we forget what we really want. Then, when the person in charge asks us, we hesitate and stutter because we haven't thought things through. Think about what you'd want if the bureaucratic obstacles were to be removed. Be as specific as you can, in terms of dates and quantities.

Think through your acceptable alternatives
You might not get what you want. That's how life works. So you need to think about what alternatives you could live with. In particular, think about the different levers you can pull. Can you change the location where something happens? What about sequence? If the person you want to see is unavailable, could someone else in that department help? If you can't get all of what you want, can you live with some now and some later? If the other side doesn't suggest alternatives, you can suggest them yourself.

Don't take things out on the front line person
Getting angry at the service desk or help desk person rarely will accomplish anything. Chances are, they lack any authority to make decisions. That's why they're telling you that the policy is the way it is. Getting angry solves nothing and might only delay a real solution. If you have to be annoyed, be clear that you're not upset at that person but rather at the policy.

Find the decision maker
If you want something, you need to find someone who has the authority to make the decision. As noted above, only rarely will that person be on the front line. More commonly, that front line person merely carries out the already established policy and will be reluctant to make exceptions. You will need to find that person's boss, or the boss's boss, who will have the authority to make the decision that's favorable to you.

Remember that there's strength in numbers
You have a greater chance of getting what you want if you have allies - other people who have the same concerns. If all those other people voice the same issues, the other side knows that you're not just some isolated troublemaker.

Be clear on your escalation process
If you have trouble with another organization, say within your own company, be clear on how you will escalate an issue. Will you go to your own boss first? Will you approach the other department's boss yourself? In any case, be clear with your boss on this process. If and when you do escalate, think through as much as you can about the issues, why you're escalating, and what you want done.

Document the situation
Documenting the situation will help the other side know what's going on. It also shows that you're staying in touch with the situation. Be as specific as you can on names of people, dates, times, and actions that were promised.

Respond positively to the "roadblock comments"
Those We can't do that or I don't have the authority comments drive you crazy, don't they? Here's a way to handle them: Turn them around to a positive question and then ask the other person that question. For instance, a response to We can't do that would be What can you do? A response to I don't have the authority would be Who does have the authority?

Build up your political capital
You often must call in favors when you need to get things done. Therefore, take time to build up good will and hence political capital with others. Be helpful when you can (while of course keeping your own job as your top priority). Build relationships with others. Those relationships can help you if these other tips don't.

Be gracious when you get your way
No matter how frustrating the situation, be gracious if and when you get your way. A thank you takes little time and effort, but is a nice touch and can make things easier for you the next time.

Remember the serenity prayer
When all else fails, remember the serenity prayer: Ask for courage to change what you can, serenity to accept what you can't, and the wisdom to know the difference.