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...You Won't Make Your Deadline

Lesson 16 from: What to Say When…Tips and Scripts for Tricky Situations at Work

Ilise Benun

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Lesson Info

16. ...You Won't Make Your Deadline

Lesson Info

...You Won't Make Your Deadline

What to say when you agreed to a deadline but now it's clear you won't be able to meet it. Here's the situation. The deadline is coming up for a project and you need more time if you're going to do it well. Here's what you may be thinking but shouldn't say. Here's the solution. Find out how firm the deadline actually is, and ask for the additional time you need. Here's what you could say. Using curiosity: "Is there any buffer or cushion in our schedule for this project? Because it looks like I'm going to need some extra time to finish it." Using generosity: "If you can give me a few more days to complete this, it will be of a much higher quality than if I submit it on the deadline. What is your preference?" Or humility: "It looks like I was a bit too optimistic in my expectations of how long this would take, and I will need another day or week. What's possible?" And humor might be appropriate here. "I've been practicing wishful estimating again, and it's gotten me into some trouble her...

e." Here's the overarching idea. Time is of the essence here. Waiting and hoping things will somehow get better is usually the worst thing to do. So as soon as you know that you won't be able to meet the deadline, let someone know and ask what kind of extension is possible. Involve them in the decision, so it's not you giving an ultimatum. Give them a heads up so they can prepare or make others aware of the delay, because the earlier you address it, the less negative impact it's likely to have. Now this conversation may be difficult, but you can guide it and keep the focus on the value and the quality that you and your team want to deliver for the client. Make sense?

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Love the format of this course - it was so great to be able to select a specific situation, and then quickly learn a couple of approaches to each one.

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