The workplace can sometimes resemble a courtroom, where all stakeholders strive to prevent their opponents from gaining an advantage.
This dynamic often creates high-stakes pressure, similar to the tension portrayed in the drama series The Lincoln Lawyer. In Season 1, lead lawyer Mickey Haller faces intense pressure to prepare a defence for Trevor Elliott within a tight deadline.
To meet these demands, Mickey tasks his investigator, Cisco, with tracking down witnesses, gathering background information, and uncovering any potentially damaging details on the prosecution’s witnesses.
Simultaneously, he expects his office manager, Lorna, to juggle complex legal filings, manage client communications, and keep up with his packed schedule, often dealing with last-minute changes.
These expectations weigh heavily on both Cisco and Lorna, leading to stress and frustration, as Mickey's results-driven approach pushes them to their limits.
Leah Awiti, the founder of Omil Staffing Services, explains that when employees are overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations, they get frustrated.
The toll on mental health
Cisco, for instance, faces obstacles in gathering evidence due to uncooperative witnesses, and his long hours only add to his frustration.
Lorna, on the other hand, is pressured to ensure all filings are perfect and timely, despite the complexities of running a mobile law office.
This unrelenting pressure can lead to anxiety, lower self-esteem, dwindling productivity, and even job loss if performance suffers.
In the end, although Mickey wins the case (spoiler alert), it is revealed that Trevor had been deceptive, withholding crucial information about his actions and motivations.
This outcome mirrors what often happens when bosses set high, sometimes unachievable expectations. As Leah says, this approach can compromise employee morale and productivity.
Selfishness or out of touch?
But what factors make a boss set these unrealistic expectations? "First the economy. If a boss wants a lot of sales and they are not cognisant of where the country is at economically, then an employee will be pushed beyond their control," shares Leah.
Secondly, if you are working with an overachiever boss. Such a boss does not care about what you are going through as a person and only fixates on the results hence giving you pressure to perform.
"Also, if there is high expectations or competition within the industry then overly ambitious targets are set. For instance, if company A and B are competitors and the market report shows company A is leading, then bosses at company B might set unrealistic targets to topple company A."
Additionally, Ms Awiti says a clash of a boss's personal ambition and a degree of selfishiness can lead to unrealistic expectations for their team.
"Hey, I want to be ranked up or be recognised or promoted and that depends on how my team is going to perform. So, I'm going to push and box everyone until we get to that point."
Also, working in an organisation that consistently overestimates its resources—time, budget, and capability—to carry out certain projects, Ms Awiti says, significantly hinders the team's ability to achieve its goals.
Stepping into their shoes?
Chris Sakwa, the Director HRD Ingenuity, a HR and management consulting company, says that a boss who sets unrealistic expectations could either be under pressure from his/her boss, or has hidden motive to fix or catch you. How you should communicate then depends on which of those two applies.
But, you need to apply emotional intelligence in how you go about it. Chris advises, first, have an appreciation and awareness of yourself and most importantly, self-regulation.
"Because if you do not know yourself well, you may end up being infuriated as you're talking to your boss. Or worse still, if you don't know how to manage your emotions, you could let them spill out and it turns out to be a contest of some sort."
Once you have done that, step into your boss's shoes. Chris says instead of blaming them, turn the conversation into a fact-finding session.
A polite 'that's not possible'
While being aware of yourself dictates knowing what you can swallow and spit, Chris says that you can be diplomatic in your 'that's not possible' answer with your boss.
Consider the sandwich method.
"Showcasing your abilities is the place to begin. It's probably not the first time you're working with your boss. You have been given targets before that you have managed and have done a stellar job while at it."
Then, introduce the challenges you are facing. "List them then pose whether there is any other way the challenges could be handled."
However, Chris says that such a conversation can only be had if you have a rapport with your boss. If this is not the case, then your goose is cooked. It is time to leave.
He says, "There are instances where your boss, wants you out and they are building a case around it by giving you those unrealistic goals. This is tantamount to constructive dismissal."
