My Manager: Bob, how are you coming on that high-priority project??
- Me: “I will get it done.”
My Manager: What is the ETA?
- Me: “I been very careful not to put dates out there because I have to do my work.”
My Manager: I know you have to do your work. What have you gotten done?
- Me: “I have implemented a lot, but I still have more to do.”
My Manager: What, exactly, have you implemented? Give me a breakdown of what you’ve accomplished so far.
- Me: “I don’t want to get ahead of that process, but I continue to move forward.”
My Manager: What process? What are you moving forward on?
- Me: “When I look at the work I have to get done, the fact that it’s there is a statement of the reality that I still have more work to do. And so it’s critical that I continue on my road to complete that work. And so that’s the way I’m thinking about it today.”
My Manager: Huh?? Can you frame it from an innings perspective or a percent basis ... how far along are you in terms of achieving the end-goal of the project?
- Me: “I appreciate your desire to have me answer those questions. But again ... my view of accomplishing the work doesn’t matter.”
My Manager: Bob, you were hired specifically to lead this high-priority project. Your evasiveness is beginning to cause great concern.
- Me: “I really don’t think it’s helpful or productive to go beyond what I’ve said at this point.”
My Manager: I have no choice but to put you on a PIP.
- Me: “Sure, go ahead! I hear I was the only who took the job.”