Updated September 2026: in January 2020 I politely declined a delivery person's request to send a draft outline and slides by end of day, because an early version would draw too many comments and pull the work away from the client's needs. That evening my manager asked me to work the weekend on an urgent leadership review. I have rewritten it into advice on when to share early drafts.
I explained to the delivery person why I did not want to publish a version yet: it would attract many comments and divert attention from the client's requirements. We ended the conversation, and I moved on. After hours, my manager called asking if I could support the request over the weekend, as leadership urgently needed something to review.
Why hold back an early draft?
Because an early, rough draft shared widely invites comments on everything, including parts that are not ready. Reviewers anchor on what they see, and the discussion can drift away from what the client asked for.
When should you share early anyway?
When a senior reviewer needs to shape the direction. Leadership often wants to see an early version to steer it, and saying no can lead to the request going over your head, as happened to me.
How can you share without inviting chaos?
- Share an outline, not slides: headings and key messages only.
- Limit the audience to the people who must steer it.
- Ask specific questions: "Is this storyline right?" rather than "any comments?"
- Label it clearly as a draft for direction only.
How do you respond to a weekend request after declining?
Offer the outline approach: "I can send a one-page storyline by Saturday noon for leadership to steer." It meets the need with far less weekend work.
How do you keep your manager aligned?
Tell your manager when you decline a request from a delivery person, with the reason. Otherwise the request can reach them without context.
What did I learn?
That the reasoning was right, but an outline would have satisfied everyone.
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