Tech Company Senior Leader - When trying to get a group to take ownership over a project, you can go above, below, or around them to build a coalition to persuade them to do it. However, if they actually SHOULD be working on this project, but they are shirking their responsibility and taking advantage of you by letting you do it, you can decide to "drop the ball" and not do it. Then, when it becomes apparent the work hasn't been done, they will feel pressure to do it next time.