#177 | Tech Leadership Q&A: How Do I Push Back on My Manager's Unrealistic Deadline or Scope?

Episode notes

▶︎ #177 | Tech Leadership Q&A: How Do I Push Back on My Manager's Unrealistic Deadline or Scope? In this solo episode of the Leman Tech Leadership Podcast, host Aleksandra Lemańska continues her Q&A series with two closely linked questions: "How do I push back on my manager's unrealistic deadline or scope?" and "Did I actually agree to this, or did I just not object?" On pushing back, Alex reframes the entire conversation: it isn't conflict, it's renegotiating a contract that was never properly set in the first place. Her own approach is calm and practical - when a new urgent request lands, she acknowledges it, then asks what should move down the priority list to make room for it. The second question gets at something many leaders quietly carry: the difference between actually agreeing to something and simply not objecting. Alex is blunt that silence is often treated as agreement, and staying silent to avoid friction creates confusion, wasted time, and resentment down the line.

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