---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don’t do work for people in another…"
description: "\"“Don’t do work for people in another department or grab people from another department to do work for you unless you speak to the person responsible fo..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/ray-dalio-299_quote_don-t-do-work-for-people-in-another-depa_1646291.jpg"
---

#  Don’t do work for people in another department or grab…

![“Don’t do work for people in another department or grab people from another department to do work for you unless you speak to the person responsible for overseeing the other department. If there is a dispute about this, it needs to be resolved at the point of the pyramid.” quote by Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/ray-dalio-299_quote_don-t-do-work-for-people-in-another-depa_1646291.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/ray-dalio-299_quote_don-t-do-work-for-people-in-another-depa_1646291.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/ray-dalio-299_quote_don-t-do-work-for-people-in-another-depa_1646291.jpg)

> ““Don’t do work for people in another department or grab people from another department to do work for you unless you speak to the person responsible for overseeing the other department. If there is a dispute about this, it needs to be resolved at the point of the pyramid.””

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Coordinate cross‑department work only after consulting the responsible leader to avoid disputes and maintain clear hierarchy.

**In simple terms:** Get permission before mixing departments.

Key Takeaway

Respect authority in collaboration.

Themes

management collaboration hierarchy

Mood

pragmatic cautious

Type

advice business

When to use this quote

- project planning
- inter‑departmental tasks
- resource allocation

Key Concepts

organizational structure conflict avoidance

Questions to Reflect On

- Who should be consulted for cross‑team work?
- How to balance authority with flexibility?

A Different Perspective

Rigid hierarchy may stifle agility.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Overseeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overseeing/)

## Related quotes

> [I came to realize I did believe in God. I couldn't conceive of a universe without someone overseeing it in a compassionate way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainn-wilson/i-came-to-realize-i-did-believe-in-god-i-couldn-t-conceive-of-a/)

[Rainn Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainn-wilson/)

> [Currently, I am overseeing the construction of the new Trump Tower in Chicago. I am involved in meeting with the construction crews, architects and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-rancic/currently-i-am-overseeing-the-construction-of-the-new-trump-tower-in/)

[Bill Rancic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-rancic/)

> [Faith is a principle of action. It is our willingness to believe in the Savior that unleashes His power in our lives. Faith is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheri-l-dew/faith-is-a-principle-of-action-it-is-our-willingness-to-believe-in/)

[Sheri L. Dew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheri-l-dew/)

> [The purer the artist's 'mirror' is, the more true reality reflects in it. Overseeing the historical culture of art, we must conclude that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piet-mondrian/the-purer-the-artist-s-mirror-is-the-more-true-reality-reflects-in-it/)

[Piet Mondrian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piet-mondrian/)

> [CMS has a track record of successfully overseeing the many contractors our programs depend on to function. Unfortunately, a subset of those contracts for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-tavenner/cms-has-a-track-record-of-successfully-overseeing-the-many/)

Marilyn Tavenner

> [The great, rewarding thing about directing is that you're overseeing the whole thing. When you're an actor, you're just one department.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-dillon/the-great-rewarding-thing-about-directing-is-that-you-re-overseeing/)

[Matt Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-dillon/)

> [I am personally overseeing changes that include the establishment of a global health emergency workforce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chan/i-am-personally-overseeing-changes-that-include-the-establishment-of/)

[Margaret Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chan/)

> [That's how you end up with a guy like Dan Fried, overseeing the U.S. sanctions against Russia for Russia did in Ukraine and Crimea.Russia…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/that-s-how-you-end-up-with-a-guy-like-dan-fried-overseeing-the-u-s/)

[Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/)

> [Peace is not just a colored ribbon. It's more than a wristband or a t-shirt. It's not just a donation or a 5 K…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/peace-is-not-just-a-colored-ribbon-it-s-more-than-a-wristband-or-a-t/)

[George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/)

> [Your daughter is doing well here. I've been overseeing her training." Since when does "overseeing" include throwing knives at me and scolding me at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/your-daughter-is-doing-well-here-i-ve-been-overseeing-her-training/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [If the election had turned out differently, I could be the one overseeing the signing of bailout checks and Vice President Biden could be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/if-the-election-had-turned-out-differently-i-could-be-the-one/)

[Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/)

> [The idea that we are "stewards of the earth" is another symptom of human arrogance. Imagine yourself with the task of overseeing your body's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-margulis/the-idea-that-we-are-stewards-of-the-earth-is-another-symptom-of/)

[Lynn Margulis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-margulis/)

> [I have to bring my A-Game 24/7, between creating, draping, and overseeing a myriad of different brands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zac-posen/i-have-to-bring-my-a-game-24-7-between-creating-draping-and/)

[Zac Posen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zac-posen/)

> [Producing a film is more unfamiliar territory. Although producing an album and overseeing artists is a task within itself. But film is unfamiliar territory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-i/producing-a-film-is-more-unfamiliar-territory-although-producing-an/)

T.I

> [In less than a year Revolution has gone from being a concept to a reality, with three rapidly growing sector companies, overseeing a dozen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-case/in-less-than-a-year-revolution-has-gone-from-being-a-concept-to-a/)

[Steve Case](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-case/)

## More by Ray Dalio

> [“Slow down your thinking so you can note the criteria you are using to make your decision. 2. Write the criteria down as a principle.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/slow-down-your-thinking-so-you-can-note-the-criteria-you-are-using-to/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [“Having a process that ensures problems are brought to the surface, and their root causes diagnosed, assures that continual improvements occur.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/having-a-process-that-ensures-problems-are-brought-to-the-surface-and/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [“If you can’t successfully do something, don’t think you can tell others how it should be done”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/if-you-can-t-successfully-do-something-don-t-think-you-can-tell/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [“Remember that a good plan should resemble a movie script.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/remember-that-a-good-plan-should-resemble-a-movie-script/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [“I believe that the key to success lies in knowing how to both strive for a lot and fail well. By failing well, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/i-believe-that-the-key-to-success-lies-in-knowing-how-to-both-strive/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [I'm scared of one man, one vote because it suggests that everybody has an equal ability at making decisions, and I think that's dangerous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/i-m-scared-of-one-man-one-vote-because-it-suggests-that-everybody-has/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [“A manager’s ability to recognize when outcomes are inconsistent with goals and then modify designs and assemble people to rectify them makes all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/a-manager-s-ability-to-recognize-when-outcomes-are-inconsistent-with/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [“So I learned to be radically open-minded to allow others to point out what I might be missing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/so-i-learned-to-be-radically-open-minded-to-allow-others-to-point-out/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [“During those terrible days after 9/11, when the whole country was being whipsawed by emotion, or the weeks between September 19 and October 10,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/during-those-terrible-days-after-9-11-when-the-whole-country-was/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [“is more effective to train that subconscious, emotional you the same way you would teach a child to behave”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/is-more-effective-to-train-that-subconscious-emotional-you-the-same/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [I think that the first thing is you should have a strategic asset allocation mix that assumes that you don't know what the future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/i-think-that-the-first-thing-is-you-should-have-a-strategic-asset/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [Life is like a game where you seek to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of achieving your goals. You get better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/life-is-like-a-game-where-you-seek-to-overcome-the-obstacles-that/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [“when we look down on ourselves through the eyes of nature we are of absolutely no significance. It is a reality that each one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/when-we-look-down-on-ourselves-through-the-eyes-of-nature-we-are-of/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [“Great questions are a much better indicator of future success than great answers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/great-questions-are-a-much-better-indicator-of-future-success-than/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [“Georgi Plekhanov’s classic On the Role of the Individual in History.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/georgi-plekhanov-s-classic-on-the-role-of-the-individual-in-history/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

[Explore all 716 Ray Dalio quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

## More Leader quotes

> [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/)

Brian Reade

> [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/)

Jennifer Siebel Newsom

> [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/)

[Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/)

> [No judge can stop us from praying for our country and I pray that on May 6, millions of Americans will join me in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-graham/no-judge-can-stop-us-from-praying-for-our-country-and-i-pray-that-on/)

[Franklin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-graham/)

> [“A man who saw has turned blind, A hearer deaf, A leader now leads astray!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-lichtheim/a-man-who-saw-has-turned-blind-a-hearer-deaf-a-leader-now-leads-astray/)

[Miriam Lichtheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-lichtheim/)

> [We're going to create factory jobs for recent immigrants, and Donald Trump is going to take care of them. That's why his numbers, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-sessions/we-re-going-to-create-factory-jobs-for-recent-immigrants-and-donald/)

[Jeff Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-sessions/)

> [I always wanted someone looking up to me and trying to understand where I'm coming from as a leader. I'm ready for that. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dillon-brooks/i-always-wanted-someone-looking-up-to-me-and-trying-to-understand/)

[Dillon Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dillon-brooks/)

> [I really don't think you need a letter on your jersey to be a leader on a hockey club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carey-price/i-really-don-t-think-you-need-a-letter-on-your-jersey-to-be-a-leader/)

[Carey Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carey-price/)

> [I think leading by example is important, as I know the next generation is watching us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-skolnik/i-think-leading-by-example-is-important-as-i-know-the-next-generation/)

[Michael Skolnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-skolnik/)

> [Leadership is made for service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-hyles/leadership-is-made-for-service/)

[Jack Hyles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-hyles/)

> [“All to often, on the long road up, young leaders become servants of what is rather than shapers of what might be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gardner/all-to-often-on-the-long-road-up-young-leaders-become-servants-of/)

[John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/)

> [However, however, if the goal is to abandon America's free enterprise economy, if the goal is to convert America into a submissive member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/however-however-if-the-goal-is-to-abandon-america-s-free-enterprise/)

[Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/)

> [Notoriously outspoken, his sentences always punctuated with profanities, General George S. Patton was the epitome of what a leader should be like - or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/notoriously-outspoken-his-sentences-always-punctuated-with/)

[Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/)

> [I was born in Cuba. At the age of 14 years of age I was involved in a revolution. We were suffering from a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-was-born-in-cuba-at-the-age-of-14-years-of-age-i-was-involved-in-a/)

[Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/)

> [Effective leaders are made, not born. They learn from trial and error, and from experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/effective-leaders-are-made-not-born-they-learn-from-trial-and-error/)

[Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/)

[Browse all 10,680 Leader quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Don’t do work for people in another department or grab people from another department to do work for you unless you speak to the person responsible for overseeing the other department. If there is a dispute about this, it needs to be resolved at the point of the pyramid.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ray Dalio"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/don-t-do-work-for-people-in-another-department-or-grab-people-from/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Leader"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/don-t-do-work-for-people-in-another-department-or-grab-people-from/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/ray-dalio-299_quote_don-t-do-work-for-people-in-another-depa_1646291.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/ray-dalio-299_quote_don-t-do-work-for-people-in-another-depa_1646291.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/ray-dalio-299_quote_don-t-do-work-for-people-in-another-depa_1646291.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Don’t do work for people in another department or grab people from another department to do work for you…” — Ray Dalio",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Ray Dalio",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Don’t do work for people in...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/don-t-do-work-for-people-in-another-department-or-grab-people-from/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/don-t-do-work-for-people-in-another-department-or-grab-people-from/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
