Should managers use words like “I need” and “ASAP”?

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'ASAP' gives a person nothing to work with and implies you don't respect their ability to gauge their own effort over time. We're all grown ups, use realistic delivery timings with clear rationales.

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Point goes to Copy 1

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I would prefer if they didn’t

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I tend to use “high priority” or “please prioritize this over XYZ, we can push back those deadlines so that you have time to address”

I never say “I need” because it’s not about me. Anything we do at my company is for clients, and any internal project is for our team. I might say “can you help me with XYZ? The deadline is X and your support would be invaluable here”

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At the Home Depot, maybe?

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Why maybe?

When needed, it helps me prioritize.

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Depends. I have a solid relationship with my boss and he’s way more relaxed than I am 99% of the time. With him it works.

With leaders that ask me for things ASAP, but don’t even pretend to do anything with them...I understand where they’re coming from most of the time...but I’m not happy about reprioritizing things for them

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Thoughts on the phrase “as soon as is comfortably possible” ? I feel like it acknowledges that everyone is already super busy - so it is more respectful than “ASAP” but it is also kind of a power move

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The only time I use ASAP is if what I need is completely critical to operations or production. I also at the same time usually use the high importance flag. Otherwise I use some other phrase, like "need prior to proceeding" or "when possible" but then again, I'm a consultant so my company still gets paid by the client if I am on site and waiting for something from the client. I've literally had time and materials clients leave me sitting in the lobby for 2 hours. I bill from a reasonable amount of time after I walk into the building (usually about 15 minutes after arriving) until I pack up and leave. I'll gladly bill $200/hr to inconsiderate people wasting my time to show their importance to absolutely no one. If they're fixed firm price and they do the same thing, I will email that since they are too busy and forgot I was waiting that they can reschedule the work for another time and walk out. Then I'll usually put off rescheduling until convenient for me vs them. But I'm a b*tch that way.

Not asap, but 'On priority'

My first boss in advertising taught me that I should never use ASAP. I had to give a date and time of day when work was to be delivered. That advice has saved me a lot of waiting around time, missed trains, guesswork and headaches over the years!

The former, no. The latter, sometimes it truly is ASAP. But I really try to avoid it.

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