Bill, it's a matter of communication. I don't think those women in your office were deferring, they were just being polite. Asking if you have the time to do something they wanted done might have been answered, "I have do decide whether to do this new job or finish this other one I'm working on for you."

I used to do that, but I had no problem with saying "This is a priority issue and I need you to do it NOW."