When You Have to Assign Work No One Wants to Do.

The article focuses on how managers can effectively assign undesirable work by fostering employee acceptance rather than relying on persuasion or authority. Research involving over 2,500 participants shows that acceptance—acknowledging an assignment as final and settled—leads employees to rationalize and commit to tasks they did not choose. Three key factors promote acceptance: perceived freedom of choice (even symbolic), signaling finality of the assignment, and ensuring the decision-making process is transparent and viewed as legitimate. Managers who incorporate these elements can enhance genuine buy-in, improving performance and commitment despite the unappealing nature of the work.