Every day, we make and receive multiple requests in both our personal and professional lives. Most of them are reasonable, but every so often, there’s one that’s not. An unreasonable request typically involves an outsized ask that requires extraordinary effort and seems highly impractical. Or the request may be unreasonable because of when or how it’s made — either last minute or in an entitled, demanding or presumptive manner, or all of the above.
How to Respond to an Unreasonable Request
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Unreasonable requests don’t have to be seen as intractable demands. These six strategies can help you respond more effectively and feel more empowered. First, assess the relationship. How (or if) you respond to the individual and how much you decide to try to accommodate the request, will likely depend on your relationship. Also, be curious. Ask open-ended questions about what’s really behind the request to shed light on what the other person really needs (versus what they think they need). Raise awareness. Often, part of the egregiousness of an unreasonable request is that the person making the request has no idea that what they are asking for is unreasonable. And finally, be clear on your boundaries, 0ffer alternative solutions, and let the other person know what would work next time.
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