Walking a fine line

I find that one of the most challenging things I do during this business start-up is to walk the fine line called "how much should I ride people in order to get things done without annoying them so much they want to shoot me". 

Of course, what do I care, really, if they do want to shoot me?  I need things to get done, and I am paying them to do those things.  As long as I am keeping up my end of the bargain and giving them the information (and money) they need when they ask me for it, then aren't I entitled to get what I need when I ask for it?  And if they aren't giving it to me, then am I entitled to be a pest?  Maybe even a demanding pest?

This has always been an issue for me.  There are times when the "I want to be liked" part of me prevents me from pushing hard enough.  I try humor instead.  I try to elicite sympathy.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  The stretch for me today is to push past wanting to be liked towards getting something accomplished.