How to Ask to Work on Another Team's Project

If you can show it’ll be good for them (and not just good for yourself), you’re more likely to get their stamp of approval. An email can do the initial trick.

Prepare for and address any concerns they may have. What are the counterarguments to getting this project up? How will you defend yourself when they say they’re worried about it taking up too much of your time? Or, conflicting with your other responsibilities? Or, requiring them to manage you more?

There is no guarantee your manager will say yes—even if you did all your homework, even if you made a solid case, even if other people back you up. Your boss has the final say on what you work on, and it’s possible this project would conflict with their expectations for the future.

If you get a no, staying positive and professional may convince your boss to reconsider your request down the road. Here are some phrases to try:

• “I understand why you disagree with this and appreciate you explaining further.”
• “I wasn’t aware of those changes and am glad you brought them to my attention.”

Just because you can’t work on something under your boss’ eye doesn’t mean your growth has to stagnate.

Maybe you can’t start a blog, but you can assist your team in writing copy for your company newsletter. Or, instead of being able to help out your colleague on the sales team, you grab a coffee to learn more about the work they’re doing. Or, maybe you take your passions outside your office—signing up for an online class or taking on a side gig.