The ability to sit with your anxiety and bathe in uncertainty for a limited amount of time can be a managerial superpower.
“Project Blue” was going to be a major effort. I would need to marshal the combined resources of all my software teams to make it happen on the CEO’s demanding schedule. There would need to be all kinds of project alignment, team alignment, people alignment, and change management if the company went all-in on Blue. I was ready. There was only one problem: the executives hadn’t decided to move forward yet.
For two weeks I waited, then I waited, and then I waited some more. My hand was metaphorically hovering over the “GO” button and I needed an up-or-down decision. We were either moving 100% of available product development time to Blue or it was business as usual. Because the decision had so much gravity, with an untold number tradeoffs, the final decision was not forthcoming.
One of my favorite quotes ever is “nothing clears the mind like no choice”. While I did push the CPO for a decision, I knew that the executives had to complete their discernment process to know with confidence which direction to go. This would take time. The decision was out of my control.
What is a manager to do at this point? My advice is to hone the fine art of sitting with your uncertainty and anxiety. Yes, absolutely take action where you can and advocate for the direction you think is best. At the same time, also understand that it may be days or weeks until the uncertainty is resolved.
If you let the uncertainty eat at you then you only end up worn down and burnt out. Not the best way to start a major project. Instead, clear your mind, be comfortable that you have done everything you can, provide additional input where asked, and wait for clarity.
As an aside, we did end up moving forward with Project Blue but with a new project definition that meant the effort from my teams would not be needed. Business as usual…
Photo: Tail rotor assembly from an MH-65E “Dolphin” helicopter of the United States Coast Guard at the Camarillo Air Show. Don’t stick your hand in there.