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Are your deadlines a little "softer" now?
One of my friends is working on a long-term project and her deadline has been adjusted and extended because of the pandemic. I haven't had any changes like this (yet). Are your deadlines a little more lax with everything that's going on? Or have things even ramped up?
Helen Hanison
Helen Hanison's Leadership Coaching
436
04/25/20 at 2:24PM UTC
What an interesting question. I'm a coach and can overwhelmingly say my workload has ramped up. And yes that means deadlines come up faster accordingly. On the other hand, that's my choice and an awful lot to do with wanting to up my level of support across my rosta of 1;1 clients - some of whom live alone, were already job-seeking, business building, or unhappy with their status quo. It's hard across the board isn't it?
Among them I observe a vast range of answers - the commonality is that the deadline piece is at its most challenging when the cognitive load is heaviest. In other words, those at the strategy setting end of Leadership have a tough gig, making big decisions in unprecedented times and having to operate with a level of agility that's never before been required at this level.
Thanks for the ask. Best, Helen
Anonymous
04/24/20 at 4:20PM UTC
My deadlines have gotten more strict! Unfortunately it's turned into a lot of virtual micromanaging going on.
[email protected]
155
04/20/20 at 7:54PM UTC
I'm finding new topics which have super critical deadlines that did not exist previously, while some others have disappeared entirely. So I would have to say, more of priorities changing and the need to be more agile in this time. The willingness to drop and pick up things as the needs shift.
Anonymous
04/21/20 at 9:26PM UTC
That makes a lot of sense. It seems smart to change as priorities do.
Laura McCannDriving results through people engagement
325
04/20/20 at 5:40PM UTC
Our deadlines have not stopped or let up with COVID. We are still moving ahead 100% as we are an "essential" industry. If anything, We are scrapping bigger projects that aren't relevant right now.
Anonymous
04/20/20 at 5:45PM UTC
Thank you, Laura, for sharing your experience. And thank you for staying open and keeping us running!
Barb HansenStartup Product, Growth & Strategy
6.67k
04/20/20 at 4:15PM UTC
No changes to project deadlines for us, but some projects have shifted to meet the new times.
I am a co-founder at a recently funded startup so all of our projects are mission critical as for most startups during any time.
Anonymous
04/20/20 at 5:45PM UTC
That makes a lot of sense. Sometimes we have to keep pushing through!
Lady PeleRetired Project Manager
3.96k
04/20/20 at 1:39PM UTC
Some projects were sped up and others were deemed less critical. It's an interesting time, that's for sure.
Anonymous
04/20/20 at 5:44PM UTC
Definitely.
Anonymous
04/19/20 at 9:51PM UTC
It's kind of mix. I had to postpone some projects so the deadline is sorta relaxed, while I've gotta tons more new projects because of this client, and many people expect me and my team to make it happen over night.
Anonymous
04/20/20 at 5:44PM UTC
Hm, that's tough but seems like a good balance.
Shelby CCreative Consultant-Sales & Marketing-Writer
1.94k
04/19/20 at 8:26PM UTC
No. Why should deadlines change? Work still needs to be done now more than ever before and there are fewer people doing it. There's more flexibility of hours, but that's it. It's difficult to control WFH anyway. It takes someone that's disciplined and self-motivated to do it over a decade like I have.
Anonymous
04/20/20 at 5:44PM UTC
The deadlines had changed at my friend's work because people were transitioning to working during the pandemic - meaning many were coping with the loss of loved ones. I understand the need to work on strict deadlines, and while that is important right now, we also need to be understanding of grief.
Shelby CCreative Consultant-Sales & Marketing-Writer
1.94k
04/20/20 at 5:49PM UTC
That's entirely different. You should be allowed bereavement whether you work from home or in an office.
We're all mourning now. We're mourning a way of life, innocence, jobs, structure, a sense of security, etc. Sadly, some of us have even lost loved ones during the pandemic. I have. It makes the grieving process extremely complicated when you can't have a funeral or be with your friends and family to mourn. We lost a friend to COVID as well. He was the second death in our state, but we couldn't attend his funeral or my aunt's.
Anonymous
04/19/20 at 8PM UTC
No as well. Not only are deadlines enforced, but what was a monthly management review is now weekly, because "we can't trust that they are working at home." I'm in my 60s and have no Fs left after over 40 years as an engineer.
Anonymous
04/20/20 at 5:42PM UTC
I'm sorry to hear that about the check-ins. They should trust you!
obe
464
04/19/20 at 7:01PM UTC
Sadly no. It’s business as usual and guidelines are put in place to ensure you’re working.
Anonymous
04/20/20 at 5:42PM UTC
That is sad but it makes sense. Things do have to move along.
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