What do you do if your boss's expectations in the BPO sector are unrealistic?

Many of us stay quiet when we're given tasks with impossible goals. We go along with it silently, even though we know it's bound to fail, and then we end up taking the blame. This not only makes us disappointed but also stresses us out mentally. Somewhere along my career path, I started setting boundaries for myself when it comes to tasks. This doesn't mean I refuse to do anything at all. Instead, I tell my boss if there are parts of the task I can't handle because I lack the knowledge or skills. Your boss might agree to help you with the task, or they might not understand your situation. Either way, you've done your part by being honest, and you won't have to worry about getting blamed if things go wrong.

Communication is the key to any conflicting situation and clarifying is the first step towards great communication. Clarify whether your thoughts are in alignment with what your boss is thinking, think and present the challenges (with proposed solutions offcourse) and work together as a team to accomplish the tasks at hand

If your boss insists on you completing the tasks, it's important to discuss other aspects with them. This might include the deadline. If you need more time to understand the task and finish it properly, it's reasonable to ask your boss for an extension. Alternatively, if the task requires teamwork, you might need assistance from others. In this case, your boss should provide the necessary resources to collaborate effectively. The main objective is to complete the task well. Therefore, you and your boss should work together to find solutions for the situation.

After negotiations are settled and a deadline is agreed upon for the task, it's a good idea to break down the task into smaller parts and set realistic deadlines for each of these sub-tasks. Using a Gantt chart can help organize this. Once the sub-tasks are assigned and deadlines are set, share the plan with your boss. Keep your boss updated regularly on the progress of the tasks. Make sure they are aware of any challenges you're facing, especially if external factors have affected the timelines. Don't rush your work due to pressure. This can lead to mistakes. Keep a journal of your activities so you have a record to refer to when needed.

A practical lesson I can share here is having regular update sessions or other forms of communication with your boss to state what you are working on and does that align with the expectations. This will showcase your thorough and well thought of approach to execute assignments and help you get back to the right path in case of any deviations.

Your attitude is crucial—it's one of your strongest qualities. Keeping a positive and energetic attitude can help you tackle even the toughest situations. Thinking negatively is unproductive and can lead to procrastination. Instead, set your mind on completing tasks on time and learning from them. This approach not only reduces work pressure but also promotes your growth within the organization.

Accept that every challenging situation is an opportunity to learn and grow in your career. If there's something you don't know, take the initiative to learn. If a task seems difficult, focus on improving your skills to simplify it. View receiving tough tasks from your boss as a privilege—it indicates their confidence in you. Prove your worth as a valuable team member by completing tasks as requested, both for yourself and for your boss.