How to Handle the ‘I Need to Talk to My Boss/Decision-Maker’ Sales Objection

When a prospect says, “I need to talk to my boss/decision-maker,” they might mean:

• I like this, but I don’t have the final say.
• I need to convince my boss, and I’m not sure how.
• I am not completely sold yet, so I need an easy way to push this up the chain.
• I don’t want to say no, but I also don’t want to move forward just yet.

This isn’t a hard stop—it’s an opportunity to equip them with the right information and potentially involve the decision-maker directly. The goal here isn’t to pressure them—it’s to make their job easier and help them advocate for your solution with confidence.

How to Respond in a Helpful, Strategic Way

1. Acknowledge & Validate—This is a Normal Process

Show that you understand their situation and that you’re here to help, not rush them.

Example:
"That makes total sense! Most companies have multiple stakeholders involved in decisions like this. How can I make your conversation with them easier?"

GPT Prompt:

Generate a response that acknowledges the need to involve a decision-maker while offering support.

2. Ask What’s Most Important to Their Boss

Before they pitch this internally, find out what their decision-maker actually cares about.

Example:
"I’d love to make sure you have everything you need. What’s the biggest concern your boss might have? ROI, cost, implementation, or something else?"

GPT Prompt:

Create a response that uncovers the key priorities of the decision-maker.

3. Offer to Equip Them with a Simple Pitch or One-Pager

Make their job easier by giving them a short, compelling pitch to take to their boss.

Example:
"I totally get that. To make this as easy as possible, I can send over a short summary that highlights the key benefits and ROI—would that be helpful?"

GPT Prompt:

Generate a response that offers a concise, persuasive summary for internal buy-in.

4. Suggest Bringing the Decision-Maker into the Conversation

If possible, try to speak with the decision-maker directly rather than relying on a second-hand pitch.

Example:
"I know these conversations can be tricky. Would it be helpful if we set up a quick call with your boss? That way, we can answer their questions directly and make sure they have all the info they need."

GPT Prompt:

Create a response that suggests a direct conversation with the decision-maker without being pushy.

5. Offer Social Proof—How Others Got Buy-In

Help them see that other teams had success getting leadership approval.

Example:
"One of our customers had the same concern. They weren’t sure how their leadership team would see the value, so we helped them put together a simple ROI breakdown. Would something like that help in your case?"

GPT Prompt:

Craft a response that uses customer success stories to show how others got buy-in from decision-makers.

6. Ask for a Timeline—When Should You Follow Up?

If they insist on talking to their boss first, make sure the conversation doesn’t stall.

Example:
"That sounds great! When do you think you’ll be able to chat with them? I’d love to follow up afterward to see if any questions come up—how does [specific date] sound?"

GPT Prompt:

Generate a response that locks in a clear follow-up date after their internal conversation.

7. Keep the Door Open—They Might Need More Time

If they’re hesitant, let them know you’ll be available whenever they’re ready.

Example:
"Totally understand! If you need anything at all—case studies, testimonials, or even a quick chat with a current customer—just let me know. I’m happy to help however I can!"

GPT Prompt:
"Create a response that keeps the conversation open for future engagement."

Cheat Sheet for Handling ‘I Need to Talk to My Boss’

Final Thoughts

When a prospect says, “I need to talk to my boss,” they’re not rejecting you—they’re just navigating their internal decision-making process. The best approach is to:

• Acknowledge that this is a normal part of the buying process
• Find out what matters most to the decision-maker
• Give them the tools they need to make a strong case internally
• Try to get the decision-maker involved directly if possible
• Use social proof to show how others got leadership buy-in
• Lock in a clear follow-up so the deal doesn’t stall
• Keep the conversation open so they don’t feel pressured

At the end of the day, your job isn’t to sell to one person—it’s to help them sell internally and make the decision-making process as easy as possible.

How DocketAI Can Help

DocketAI helps sales teams navigate multi-stakeholder deals with the right messaging, decision-maker insights, and ROI-driven materials—so when a prospect says, “I need to talk to my boss,” you’ll be fully prepared to keep the deal moving.

🎯 See how it works—Book a demo today!