The purpose of our meeting was to talk about a project – the progress the team has already made, future milestones and potential risks. As the power point slides and words rolled of the lead presenter’s face, I found myself struggling to stay silent. After all, I was the new kid in the room. I did not have all the facts, however I did understand what was missing. The presentation was factually accurate. If the conversation that followed was an accurate measure, the audience did not get the message. I had to say something, but what?
Even as I look back at my words of twenty-four hours ago, I know that I was not successful. Yes, the participants heard that we did not have any deliverables. The best that we could offer was a plan to get to the plan to get to the results. Yes, the audience listened attentively to my observation that our work was two or three times the order of magnitude of another group. They understood what they understood. A candid assessment is this; this group does not understand reality as it is today. The risks associated with tomorrow are hazy.
I struggle to understand how to make my words more clear. I know I used simple English words. I believe my statements were concise. I focused on the issues directly.
I am not the first to struggle with this reality. When a wisdom father was leaving his friends, he knew the reality of his relationship with them. His words echoed my own; “You’re not going to see me again, nor I you, you whom I have gone among for so long proclaiming the news of God’s inaugurated kingdom.” (Acts 20.26)
Did they understand then? Do they understand now?
The answer now really does not matter. What matters is that I know the reality and work to make it better. I am responsible for the resolution of a large part of the problem. I can take steps to make things better. I can share the story along the way with stakeholders.
