I used to work for a humanitarian organisation, that is to say, I was overworked and underpayed. During my time there, I developed what I think is the perfect answer to pushy bosses who put you under time pressure to deliver:
Do you want the job done quickly ? Or do you want the job done well?
(Neutral tone, neutral facial expressions, average voice volume are a must)
I’ve changed jobs often ever since. To this day, no boss or client has chosen ‘quick’, questioned the veracity of my statement/question (this obviously means that you must, indeed, deliver quality) or had the nerve to answer ‘both’.
“Can you finish this in the next hour?” “Nope!”
I need that kind of confidence.
In my line of work I have to say that constantly.
Can you add that button? Should be easy, maybe by tomorrow? -> Nope, we will need 3 million backend changes; maybe in 6 months.
Edit: WTF really?! Just fucking use AI to do it. -> Nope. AI can’t do it and even if it can you will just create a bunch of technical debt.
Sounds like you have expertise. I’m “just” an admin grunt.
I bet you know more than the average user
This kind of confidence requires both the experience in the subjects involved and the life experience backed by self-awareness/maturity indeed…
And a boss that values your professional assessment and will be an advocate for you and the rest of your team.
breaks neck
“Nope!”
Related: https://youtu.be/gvdf5n-zI14 (nope.avi)
I like to say that yes, I can do it in under an hour, but very badly.
I used to work for a humanitarian organisation, that is to say, I was overworked and underpayed. During my time there, I developed what I think is the perfect answer to pushy bosses who put you under time pressure to deliver:
Do you want the job done quickly ? Or do you want the job done well?
(Neutral tone, neutral facial expressions, average voice volume are a must)
I’ve changed jobs often ever since. To this day, no boss or client has chosen ‘quick’, questioned the veracity of my statement/question (this obviously means that you must, indeed, deliver quality) or had the nerve to answer ‘both’.