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

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/leman-tech-leadership-podcast-7045357/177-tech-leadership-q-a-how-do-i-push-back-on-my-manager-s-unrealistic-deadline-or-scope
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/leman-tech-leadership-podcast-7045357/177-tech-leadership-q-a-how-do-i-push-back-on-my-manager-s-unrealistic-deadline-or-scope.md
Podcast: [Leman Tech Leadership Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/leman-tech-leadership-podcast-7045357)
Published: 2026-07-14T03:30:01+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/177-tech-leadership-q-a-how-do-i-push-back-on-my-manager-s-unrealistic-deadline-or-scope--72889987
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72889987/a8e48367_18bd_4ff0_8c86_a56f2055e258.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/leman-tech-leadership-podcast-7045357/episodes/177-tech-leadership-q-a-how-do-i-push-back-on-my-manager-s-unrealistic-deadline-or-scope
Duration seconds: 890

## Resource

▶︎ #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. Both questions trace back to the same root cause: gaps in contracting and unspoken beliefs about what should be "obvious." Alex's challenge for listeners: the next time a new request lands on your desk, name it out loud and ask what should give way - and the next time you feel a silent "no," say it. If this episode resonated, share the link with someone who needs to hear it. ✉︎ FOLLOW ME ON: ⤵︎ LinkedIn: @aleksandralemanska TikTok: @aleksandra_lemanska X: @lemanskills Startup Community Poznan: @startup-community-poznan-scp www.lemanskills.com Join Leadership Pulse! https://lemanskills.com/pulse/

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