Friendly and informal way to say requesting something above one's "pay grade"

Question

OK, I know that even my title doesn't make much sense, so here are the details of the situation:

I asked my colleague to do certain things, and he refused. So, if my boss asks why he refused, instead of saying that he is refusing to do things that he should be doing, I would say, I was was overstepping my boundaries, i.e., it is not my position to ask/request him to do things.

So, what is the friendliest way to express that idea, because after all, I'm really not asking for something big, but something really small. I don't want to blame others, but I don't want to take the blame either.

UPDATE:

All that I want is to down play the situation. So the more informal the better. I only want to hint at this, and everyone would know what I mean in such sensitive situation.

Thanks.

Answer 1

In English, if we ask somebody to do something beyond one's authority to do so, one might say:

I know this is above my pay grade, but would you mind taking those cups back to the kitchen and not leaving them for me?

I knew I was going out on a limb in asking him to do it.

I know I probably shouldn't have asked him, but, the mess got to me.

Answer 2

I would state it as, "I didn't have the authority to ask for that from my colleague." This way my boss could grant you the authority if needed. Also, the lack of cooperation from my coworker could be noted.