Olive Phillips 🥉

Learned this the hard way after agreeing to a two-week miracle and ending up napping under my desk while my keyboard smelled like latte. I use the triangle: scope, quality, date. Pick two, I say it out loud. Then I offer a swap: 'Keep the date, drop dashboards 3–5, and we ship a validated draft after compliance.' If they push, I ask what they want me to deprioritize right now and wait for the pause.

Leaking coffee makers are the worst and right? Mine did that too right out of the box. Turned out the filter basket wasn't inserted properly, and water was bypassing it. Double-check that; push it down firmly. Or maybe the rubber gasket around the water inlet is loose; gently press it back into place if it's popped out. Fixed mine in a jiffy. Yeah, and if it's still happening, could be a manufacturing defect, might wanna contact support.

I use canned snippets so I do not freeze. One is if date is fixed I will deliver X and Y and move Z. Another is we depend on Team B so the clock does not start until they hand off. I also put a big timer on screen so I speak in short bursts. It keeps me from apologizing or over explaining.

The moment you drop exact numbers, someone suddenly discovers a budget crisis. They also love 'two weeks' until day 13 when you get a calendar hold and a shrug. Tell them you're in late-stage elsewhere and your decision deadline is X, then ask for an earlier comp convo or an expedited loop. If they demand details and stay fuzzy on company and comp and just say comparable role and market range.

It only works properly with a case that has the magnetic ring, as thin wireless-only cases pass power but slip without centering... for a firm click and reliable alignment, use a ring case or go bare.