The Strength in Sharing Setbacks

Heads up, we're trending behind by a couple weeks, I've got a plan to get things back on track but wanted to keep you in the loop.

You might be hearing that we're way off schedule, so I'm moving someone from another team to help out and get us back on track.

Just so you're aware, there's a problem with one of our projects you might catch wind of and I wanted you to hear it from me first so you're not caught off guard.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, the urge to keep it under wraps is natural. We think, "Maybe I can fix this before anyone notices." But here's the heart of it: reaching out for help isn't a sign of weakness; it's a step towards making things right. Communicating up the chain when a mistake happens allows you to open the door to solutions, to collective brainstorming, and to the kind of support that can only come when everyone's in the loop.

Think of it this way. Great leaders aren't in this to point fingers. They're in it with us, ready to roll up their sleeves and dive into the trenches to help navigate through the storm. It's in these moments of openness that you build stronger trust. Not just with your teammates, but also to your direct manager and above. With the right people, trust isn't just a word. It's a lived experience, where every member knows they have a safety net, ready to catch them if they fall.

Sharing the missteps early means we can all work together on damage control, turning potential disasters into lessons learned and opportunities for growth. It shows leadership that you're committed, not just to the project at hand, but to the health and success of the team as a whole. This kind of honesty brings us closer, builds stronger bonds, and creates a culture where everyone feels supported and valued.

So, when you find yourself with a problem, or even the potential for there to be a problem, remember, you're not alone. Bringing it to light early not only helps fix issues faster but also strengthens the team's foundation. It's a courageous act, and a declaration that you're all in this together, committed to facing challenges head-on, as a united front.

By keeping those lines of communication open, especially up the chain, you're building something that lasts. You want to be a leader who not just talks the talk but walks the walk, making a real difference in the team and leaving a mark that says, "We did this together."