It's a familiar moment for anyone who has managed tough projects. Everything starts with a clear plan, but as you get deeper, you face challenges you never anticipated. These "unknown unknowns" can stack up until you reach a critical point.
This is when leaders face one of the most crucial decisions: do you pivot or persevere? It’s a question that goes beyond just the project, with implications for your team, your customers, and the entire business. There’s a fine line between resilience and stubbornly sticking with something right out of business.
So, how do you make the right call?
It requires stepping back and taking an objective, clear-eyed look at the situation. The decision shouldn't be based on gut feelings alone, but on data and feedback. Are your customers happy and engaged? Are important metrics showing improvement, or are acquisition costs soaring? And does the current path still align with your core vision and goals?
A pivot is a structured course correction, not a failure. In fact, recognizing the need to change direction and cut your losses is often a sign of success, preventing further waste of time and resources. It's also important to document the "why" behind your decision, so you don't fall into the same trap later.
In my own work managing large project portfolios, I've seen that fostering an environment where teams feel empowered to have these honest conversations is what leads to success. Roadblocks are inevitable, but our response to them is what truly matters.
When you've faced this crossroads, what has guided your decision to either pivot or persevere? I'm always up for talking about these approaches.
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