underpromising
Setting expectations low
Underpromising is deliberately setting low expectations for what you'll deliver, usually so you can exceed them later.
It's the first half of the business maxim "underpromise and overdeliver": We've been underpromising on timelines to give ourselves a cushion.
The strategy trades initial enthusiasm for later satisfaction.
Offering far less than worth
- understateExpress with restraint
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
- underestimationJudging below actual value
- underrateJudge below true merit
underplay · sandbagging · hedging · conservative · tempering · deflecting · cushioning · buffering
Beliefs about future outcomes
- targetsIntended aims or marks
- goalsIntended end results
- deadlinesSubmission cutoff times
- milestonesNotable points of progress
deliverables · timelines · forecasting · quotas · performance · KPIs · commitments · projections
Exceed promised results
- delightIntense pleasure or satisfaction
- wowCry of amazement
- impressAffect with admiration
- outperformAchieve superior results
surpass · astonish · bonus · windfall · revelation
Lacking in pretension
- reservedRestrained in manner
- guardedWary and restrained
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
restrained · careful · hesitant · conservative · prudent · measured · deliberate · wary
Worthy of confidence
- dependableWorthy of trust
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
- credibleWorthy of acceptance
- provenEstablished as fact
faithful · steadfast · unfailing · delivering · accountable · solid · honest · integrity
lowballing
Offering far less than worth
- understateExpress with restraint
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
- underestimationJudging below actual value
underrate · underplay · sandbagging · hedging · conservative · tempering · deflecting · cushioning · buffering · positioning
expectations
Beliefs about future outcomes
milestones · deliverables · timelines · forecasting · quotas · performance · KPIs · commitments · projections · estimates
overdeliver
Exceed promised results
outperform · surpass · astonish · bonus · windfall · revelation
modest
Lacking in pretension
circumspect · restrained · careful · hesitant · conservative · prudent · measured · deliberate · wary · risk-averse
trustworthy
Worthy of confidence
- dependableWorthy of trust
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
- credibleWorthy of acceptance
proven · faithful · steadfast · unfailing · delivering · accountable · solid · honest · integrity · follow-through
underpromisingoverpromising
Pledging more than deliverable
overcommitting · biting off more than one can chew · overextending · overreaching · guaranteeing
underpromisingoverselling
Exaggerating a pitch
boasting · overstating · exaggerating · overclaiming · hyping
promise, compromise, promised, promising, promises, unpromising, promissory, overpromise, unpromised