When a No-Po Has to Protect Their Turf

What do we do when a No-Po requests for us not to communicate with anyone within their executive team? Do we cooperate with this request? Do we see this as a red flag and slowly begin to neutralize their influence? This is extremely delicate and we’d be taking a big risk in potentially damaging the relationship we’ve developed with this No-Po if we ignored it.

So when we get requests from No-Po’s in terms of protecting their turf, we must listen, respect and acknowledge them immediately. Remember, you must demonstrate a sense of loyalty but also be savvy in your efforts to leverage your influence throughout their organization. Some of these sample email requests demonstrate their need to protect their turf:

….please cc: me on all outgoing emails to my executive team…

…..if we are going to work together, I would appreciate you routing all requests, presentations and communications my way….

….I would appreciate if you do not contact my boss as you and I are working on this initiative and I’ll keep him in the loop on how things progress. He doesn’t need to be involved in this….

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Are they going to help or hurt you in the long run?

2. Are they talking about you with their executive team or do you have to take matters into your own hands?

3. Do you think their level of influence is uncertain or questionable within their organization and that’s why they are so protective?

4. Have they been burned by hungry, clumsy, greedy, slimy vendors in the past that caused trouble?

5. Can you assure them of your loyalty while also set expectations about having access to a higher level?