Instead of asking, when will XYZ be done? To which everyone is uncomfortable answering. Too short and I will run out of time. Too long and the boss will be unhappy.

Ask instead:

• At what date would we be shocked if XYZ had not happened yet?

• What is the soonest we would be surprised to start seeing tangible results from XYZ?

-I can’t remember the source but
it was from a guest on MFM