Don't Arrive

Don’t arrive before you get there.

You're excited to announce your next big thing. So excited that your planning, structure, and strategy might go out the window.


“Don't Arrive Before You Get There” is a phrase that means, "Don't announce or act on something you believe will happen until all of the necessary pieces are in place." It helps you manage expectations and not overcommit to things that aren’t ready. Instead, focus on executing, announcing, and delivering the work as committed.


Questions to ask yourself after you have made the announcement:

  • What will you do if things are not on track?
  • Are you prepared for all outcomes? Do you know all possible outcomes?
  • Have you reviewed the work and market forces? 
  • Do you have “Command of Data?” See https://www.lawrenceilerner.com/gallery 
  • Did you review and get the full buy-in of your plan?
  • Are you practicing “Say it all or not at all?” https://www.lawrenceilerner.com/gallery 


The effects of arriving before you get there include:


  • Overconfidence. You think that because you've planned, everything will go according to plan--but things happen. As a result, you’ll need to invest additional resources.
  • You’ve painted yourself into a corner. How will you manage stakeholders and others expecting the results you portrayed?
  • You may act based on your assumptions. However, building on an unstable foundation, your follow-up will unlikely be fruitful.
  • Dependency on outside forces and resources (or lack thereof). 

Anticipating an outcome can backfire. So instead, investigate, study, pause (even when you really, really want to speak), and then act.


How can we bring a more leadership mindset to your organization? Let’s discuss https://www.lawrenceilerner.com/contact


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