How to behave when you cannot meet a deadline

Okay! So you had a deadline, then there was a rock-your-world holiday bang in the middle of the week, and now you are sure that unless there is an earthquake, you cannot complete your assignment on time. What do you do?

In my earlier days on the job, I would pray for a miracle; something cool like the boss travels abroad and leaves us all singing hooray! The overall strategy was, keep it quiet, and hope the boss will not remember you have a job to complete. Been there?

Bad strategy!

It works against you in two ways. First you are marked as an unreliable officer – so the next time the sacking broom comes along, you are way near the top on that list.

Second, it is irritating to the boss, which means you are irritating the boss, which means your things are not sitting well.

What is the best plan though?

1. Realize the giver of the job KNOWS you have a job to complete.
2. Understand that the time frame was deliberate because they too have goals to achieve and was not just to make your life hard.
3. Do not dither until the last minute waiting to be asked for progress.
4. TAKE YOURSELF to the boss, well in advance and report that you are running late.
5. Explain why you are running late. (Have a damn good reason. Holiday will not wash)
6. Give yourself a new deadline and explain it to the boss.
7. if there are any challenges, suggest solutions.
8. Actually – just finish the job on time. Running late is too painful!

 To get more on the job counsel, pick 'Operation Find a Job Fast' by Paula Thayrow today.