The foundation of any partnership is to set the realistic goals. Unrealistic goals can be very tricky and lead to unfavorable results. Below are some pointers that may help us navigate through the challenge of working with such partners setting unrealistic goals: 1. Having open and frequent communication with the partner. It may assist to reach a consensus. 2. Sharing and discussing on the data & insights related to the project. This will create an understanding. 3. Deciding key milestones and phase wise objective. 4. Coming back to the table for reviewing the progress and discussing in the course correction if required. 5. Focus on the objective and the goal decided together. Staying relevant is important for partnerships success.

I like to sit down and back into the goals with them - that will bring it to the day to day tasks required to hit those "unrealistic" goals. - 10 Sales Needs - 30 Evaluations Which Means - 90 First Meetings So - 900 Introductions And today you are doing 15 Introductions.... Maybe a bit of a jump!

To navigate a challenging collaboration with unrealistic goals, start by acknowledging the ambition behind their vision to maintain a positive tone. Have an open discussion to clarify expectations and identify gaps. Provide data to show why goals may be unrealistic based on resources or timelines. Focus on mutual objectives, redefine the roadmap, and offer realistic alternatives or phased approaches. Set smaller, incremental milestones to measure progress. Keep communication open to recalibrate as needed. Show empathy for their urgency, reassuring them that a balanced approach leads to long-term success.

In my experience, one thing that has worked well is setting realistic milestones. When a partner sets overly ambitious goals, I break them down into smaller, achievable steps. This ensures both teams can track progress and meet targets gradually. At EasyWeGo, we faced a similar situation with a ride-hailing partner who expected rapid expansion. By agreeing on a phased approach—starting with Vietnam, then expanding to Cambodia—we could manage expectations better. Milestones such as “Onboard 5,000 drivers in the first quarter” created realistic, trackable goals. This approach keeps both parties aligned and avoids overwhelming either side. Clear milestones foster trust and ensure that goals are ambitious yet attainable.

To navigate a collaboration with unrealistic partner goals, start by diplomatically setting expectations. Use data and past project insights to illustrate realistic timelines and outcomes. For example, if a partner expects a new product launch in half the typical time, share benchmarks from similar projects to show why a longer timeline ensures quality and stability. Offer alternative solutions that still align with their vision, like a phased rollout. Regularly update them on progress, creating transparency and reinforcing the need for feasible objectives. This approach helps manage expectations while keeping the collaboration productive and positive.