Engage in a little nurturing. “Bill, I’d like to make a deal with you. I’d like to go over our proposal with you. If what I present to you is not acceptable and you know it won’t fly, just tell me no, it won’t fly, and I’ll go away. Fair? Fair. That will be our deal. If you like what I propose and feel it is what the committee is looking for, all I ask is that you allow me to represent myself to the committee. Fair?”
