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Step 1
I'm sure you have heard the phrase "treat others as you would like to be treated". Well, forget that. You need to treat others as THEY would like to be treated. Realize that while you may not want to be buttered up or asked about the family before someone gets to the point, others may think that if you just get to the point that you are being rude. Understand who you are talking to and how they like to be addressed.
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Step 2
This may sound childish, but make sure you tell your coworker that you understand how difficult and time consuming the task is that you are requesting, and you apologize for taking them away from their normal work. The help you are asking for may not actually be that difficult or that time consuming, but the person doing it likes the recognition that their time is worth something and that you are concerned about taking up too much of their time.
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Step 3
Please and thank you are of extreme importance when asking coworkers to help you. Make sure you say more than just a generic "thank you". You can say "thank you so much, you really helped me out". Be sincere and be very appreciative.
Comments
Rachellewms said
on 1/26/2009 Please and Thank You will always go a long way. Thanks for sharing :)
georgelarson said
on 1/26/2009 Good information. Thanks.
cherry67 said
on 1/26/2009 very cool-some people are lazy and do not offer but there are ways to coax them into assisting ;)
blondehound said
on 1/26/2009 the mutual support and respect is great
ReuseItAll said
on 1/26/2009 Mutual respect in this situation! Great!