Thursday, October 4, 2018

When a New Colleague Won't Review Your Draft

Updated September 2026: in 2018 I wrote about starting a proposal with a delivery expert I had never worked with, where I had prepared a draft solution and then received a discouraging response. I have rewritten it into practical advice on getting input from a colleague who is slow to support you.

The first days of this proposal went smoothly. I had standard material ready, and the team was waiting for the client's answers to our questionnaire. Once the client replied, there was a lot to complete, and I needed full support from a delivery expert I had not worked with before. Colleagues had warned me that getting information from her could be hard. I had already drafted a solution deck from my own understanding, so she only needed to review it and adjust it using her delivery experience. The feedback I got left me shocked and disheartened.

Why do subject experts resist reviewing a draft?

Often because the review lands on top of delivery work that is measured and escalated, while presales support is not. Some experts also dislike being asked to approve a solution they did not shape, because their name will be attached to the estimate later.

How do you get useful input from a reluctant expert?

Ask narrow questions: "Is this staffing mix realistic for a 12-week transition?" gets a faster answer than "please review the deck".
Book a short call: twenty minutes walking through the draft is easier to give than an open-ended review.
Show your assumptions: list them on one slide so the expert can correct the ones that matter.
Agree a deadline in writing: and copy the person who assigned the expert to the bid.

What should you do with harsh feedback?

Separate the substance from the tone. If the expert points out a real gap, fix it and thank them. If the criticism is vague, ask what specifically would change their view. Keep the exchange on email so the decisions are recorded.

When should you escalate?

When the submission date is at risk. Tell your manager early, with the dates of your requests and what is still missing. Escalation after the deadline helps nobody.

Does preparing a draft first help?

Usually yes. A draft gives the expert something concrete to react to and saves time. It only backfires when it is presented as finished, so label it clearly as a starting point for their input.