When the CEO asks the impossible, I always take a close look at what is going on in and around the company. Engineers can become out-of-touch with the realities of the business situation, which can only hurt them.

Based on what is happening in the business, that impossible request can be one of two flavors: One is business is good, but we got seriously surprised by something (new competitor, new technology, etc). The other is that the business is in the slow spiral of death.

Never kid yourself: engineering heroics will never save a business that is tanking. If you see that, get the resume out.

tj