Handle Difficult Conversations
Push Back on an Unreasonable Request
A manager imposes an unrealistic request and wants a yes before the tradeoffs are clear.
4 minDiplomacyHard
Who you face
Elena Rossi
Direct Manager
Pressed, expecting immediate agreement.
“I need you to take this on by tomorrow morning. I know it's tight, but I need a yes.”
The opening line is fixed. Everything after it depends on what you say.
What you have to get done
- 1Acknowledge the constraint without accepting it
- 2Set a clear boundary
- 3Offer an alternative or tradeoff
An objective counts only when a judge can quote the line where you hit it. Nothing is credited on impression.
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