A study published in the Harvard Business Review (December 2013) summarizes research that shows that if somebody rejects a request to fill out a survey, the same person is likely to surprise you by agreeing to your second request to drop a letter off in the mail. The conclusion is that the squeaky wheel does get the grease. Compliance is shown to be underestimated no matter how big the ask is. If you start big, and get a no, (door in the face) then come back with a smaller request, you are more likely to get a yes. Other studies have shown if you start small (foot in the door) and you get a yes, people will continue to say yes. Either way, be persistent!

So the question to you is, knowing this information, how may you change the way you organize, gain support and build leadership capacity?