Zain Khan

Good add - I’d also make sure the carafe lid is fully seated and oriented so it depresses the drip-stop; even a slight misalignment will make the basket overflow and run under the machine. After a vinegar clean loosened mineral flakes can lodge in the tiny basket outlet, so clear it with a toothpick and run two plain-water cycles to flush. Also watch for a collapsed paper filter or too-fine grind, which chokes flow and looks like a leak.

Stop absorbing the blast for them. Send one note to all three: 'I can deliver A or B by Thursday. Who owns priority today?' Propose this cadence: '20 minutes every Monday to set the top three and a tie breaker on call.' Use this line when everything is hot: 'If everything is urgent, nothing is. Confirm which slips.' When they conflict midweek, reply in the same thread: 'Pausing work until I get a single go from X by 2 p.m.' Close with your boundary: 'After-hours work requires pre-approval from the owner of the priority.'

Back in the day, we'd develop film over a week and nobody complained about rush jobs. These days, I tell my boss, hey, if you want it fast, good, or cheap, pick two - can't have all three. Makes 'em chuckle while getting the point across.

Sure, try 'I'm at capacity right now, but let's circle back in a couple weeks.' It shows initiative without committing. If they push, mention how the last 'quick' project ate your weekends. I've used that and it worked without backlash. Keeps you looking proactive. Or pivot to 'Happy to help prioritize if needed.'

Push back anytime the invite can't answer two questions: what decision is being made, and why you specifically are needed. If there's no agenda, decline. If you're buried under a real deadline or customer impact, that takes priority; say so plainly. "Optional" means you skip unless someone explains the need. If it's just status, move it to a doc or email. Default 60 minutes for a 10‑minute topic? Ask for 15. Recurring sessions with no outcomes after a couple rounds should be paused until someone can justify them. Be direct and offer an alternative so you don't look obstructive: a short written update, questions in a shared doc, or a 15‑minute huddle later. Call out time‑zone nonsense and ask for a humane slot. If a leader insists you attend without a purpose, put it back on them: what decision will be made that needs your input, and what happens if you don't attend.