Most of us have been on both sides of this moment: someone asks for something, and neither person has a clear picture of what "done" looks like.
The requestor wants a quick, directional answer. The person doing the work assumes they need to deliver something polished and thorough. And so begins the quiet spiral of mismatched expectations, where someone over-invests in something that didn't need to be perfect, while the person waiting wonders why it's taking so long.
Here's a simple question that cuts through all of that: "Would you rather have it at 75% tomorrow, or 95% next week?"
This framing works because it makes the tradeoff between speed and quality explicit rather than leaving it buried in assumptions.
Why this question works:
- It clarifies what "done" actually means. Many requests don't require a finished product. They need a rough draft, a directional answer, something to react to. When someone chooses 75% tomorrow, they're telling you that speed matters more than polish.
- It makes the cost of quality visible. Most people underestimate the effort required to go from "pretty good" to "really good." That last 20% of quality often takes 80% of the effort. This question surfaces that tradeoff before anyone gets frustrated.
- It reveals the real purpose of the work. A request for 95% signals the deliverable is going somewhere important. A request for 75% means it's probably an input into a bigger conversation. Knowing the destination changes how you approach the journey.
The hidden benefit? This question gives the requestor permission to ask for less.
In most professional cultures, there's an unspoken expectation that everything should be excellent. But excellence takes time, and not everything deserves the same investment. When you offer 75% as a legitimate option, you're making it safe for someone to say, "Actually, I just need something to react to."
That's a gift to both sides. The person doing the work gets realistic expectations. The person asking gets what they need faster.
Try it this week: The next time someone asks you for something, offer the tradeoff explicitly. You might be surprised how often people choose 75% tomorrow.
The best professionals don't just deliver great work. They ask the right questions before they start.
Last Updated: February 2025