In the context of software development, the pressure to deliver features quickly often leads to overoptimistic timelines and compromises on quality, as exemplified by a scenario where a project timeline is significantly shortened due to internal pressures and casual comments from uninvolved individuals. This situation is common and highlights the challenges faced by engineering leaders in maintaining accurate estimates despite external and internal pressures, such as optimism bias and ego. The importance of accurate estimates is underscored, as they are crucial for effective project sequencing and avoiding cascading delays across an organization. Strategies for mitigating these pressures include focusing on project scope reduction, using engineering productivity metrics to communicate with non-technical stakeholders, and employing techniques like reference class forecasting to build more realistic timelines. Ultimately, maintaining integrity in estimates and learning from past projects can help engineers balance the demands of speed and quality, fostering trust and professionalism within an organization.