If You Miss a Deadline, Communicate Early — Not the Day It Is Due

The moment you realize you won't make a deadline, say something. Not on the day it's due -- as soon as you see the gap. Early warning gives your team time to adjust, redistribute work, or reset expectations. Waiting until the last minute turns a manageable problem into a crisis and damages trust far more than the delay itself. A two-week heads-up is a professional courtesy; a same-day surprise is a betrayal of planning.