A colleague says a plan seems ambitious. You hear rejection and begin defending it, although they may be asking about the schedule.
Pause and check the meaning. You can ask, "Are you concerned about the amount of work or the date?" Keep the question open enough for the person to explain something you have not considered.
Respond to the clarified point
Once you understand the concern, answer that part. If it is about timing, discuss the work and available resources. If it is about the purpose, return to the reason for the project. Avoid treating the clarification as a trick to persuade the person.
You may still disagree after checking. State the disagreement in terms of the actual point and ask what would help the decision. In a hurried conversation, a short paraphrase can be enough: "You need the figures confirmed before we choose the date." Let the person correct it before you build the next step on that interpretation.
