The Logic of Porcology

What I want to know is this: How do you get a coworker to go along with something that he is not at all keen on doing while at the same time making him feel like it's his ultimate goal to do it.

I need my guy to lay off some people, in the interest of the company. But he is not willing to listen to an idea (never mind implement it) if it comes from my boss.

Riddle me this.