How everything proceeds depend on you. Tackling the issue is important but you don&#39;t have to do what you don&#39;t want to do. However, being placed with the responsibility of handling a team or a handful number of employees is a much better practice to seek first and understand.
When a project misses the mark, try focusing on the possibilities that might have happened; was there a miscommunication? Have you said something different? Is there a way to approach this with fresh eyes?

Seek first to understand

With every output, teams usually hold meetings to discuss every part of the project. It is important to clarify any questions that everyone on the team has so that time won&#39;t be wasted. 
Make it a practice to recap the project, the expectations, and the next possible steps to be taken with everyone. Not only does this reduce the risk of unclear directions but it helps everyone keep on track of the project.

Good team communication

<figure><picture><source media="(max-width: 40em)" sizes="calc(100vw - 20px)" srcset="https://images.fastcompany.net/image/upload/w_300, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/ar_16:9, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/c_fill, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/g_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/f_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/q_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/fl_lossy/wp-cms/uploads/2020/11/poster-maynard-webb-missed-proposal.jpg 300w, https://images.fastcompany.net/image/upload/w_638, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/ar_16:9, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/c_fill, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/g_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/f_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/q_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/fl_lossy/wp-cms/uploads/2020/11/poster-maynard-webb-missed-proposal.jpg 638w"><img srcset="https://images.fastcompany.net/image/upload/w_562, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/ar_16:9, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/c_fill, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/g_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/f_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/q_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/fl_lossy/wp-cms/uploads/2020/11/poster-maynard-webb-missed-proposal.jpg 562w, https://images.fastcompany.net/image/upload/w_937, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/ar_16:9, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/c_fill, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/g_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/f_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/q_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/fl_lossy/wp-cms/uploads/2020/11/poster-maynard-webb-missed-proposal.jpg 937w, https://images.fastcompany.net/image/upload/w_1153, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/ar_16:9, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/c_fill, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/g_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/f_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/q_auto, https://www.fastcompany.com/90573320/fl_lossy/wp-cms/uploads/2020/11/poster-maynard-webb-missed-proposal.jpg 1153w" alt="Can this project be saved? How to respond when a proposal totally misses the mark" width="705" height="396"></picture></figure><div dir="ltr"><cite dir="ltr">By Maynard Webb</cite>1 minute Read</div>Editor’s Note: Each week Maynard Webb, the former CEO of LiveOps and the former COO of eBay, will offer candid, practical, and sometimes surprising advice to entrepreneurs and founders. To submit a question, write to Webb at dearfounder@fastcompany.com.<div>advertisement</div>Q. I found someone I thought was the right contractor for an important project. We discussed the scope and our vision for success, and I thought we were aligned. Then, I received a quote that didn’t include two primary things I asked for. Now I’m questioning the competence of this person. Is that appropriate?&nbsp;—Executive in the Bay AreaDear Executive,&nbsp;I understand your confusion. You thought you gave clear direction and you received back something that was out of sync. That can be frustrating, and now you need a path to move ahead.<OL><LI>Instead of focusing on how you were not listened to, try to find out how you got here. As Stephen Covey wisely taught us: “Seek first to understand.” What did happen? Ask questions, so you have a better sense of what caused the misalignment. Try to clarify the differences. You can say something such as, “I was expecting this, and I got that. Did we have a miscommunication? Did I say something incorrectly, or did you hear something else?” </LI><LI>Rather than making a contest of who is right or wrong, approach this with an air of wonder. Be open to new possibilities. Is it possible the original assumptions were wrong? Could there be another way? Or, is the best approach to go back to the original</LI><LI>Remember you are still the boss—you write the paycheck and how you proceed is ultimately up to you. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, and you don’t have to continue to work with someone you lost faith in. You are embarking on an important project and the outcome will be with you for a long time.</LI></OL>As with most relationships, success really boils down to good communication — or as I often say, over communication. In the future, after each discussion, make it a best practice to recap the project, your expectations, and next steps. That can reduce the risk of wasted time and unclear direction and keep the project on track.&nbsp;

In his weekly advice column, Maynard Webb tackles the opposite of “scope creep” and urges both sides to listen. 


personaldevelopment

Personal Development

problemsolving

Problem Solving

communication

Communication

teamwork

Teamwork

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

Editor’s Note: Each week Maynard Webb, the former CEO of LiveOps and the former COO of eBay, will offer candid, practical, and sometimes surprising advice to entrepreneurs and founders. To submit a question, write to Webb at dearfounder@fastcompany.com.

Q. I found someone I thought was the right contractor for an important project. We discussed the scope and our vision for success, and I thought we were aligned. Then, I received a quote that didn’t include two primary things I asked for. Now I’m questioning the competence of this person. Is that appropriate?

I understand your confusion. You thought you gave clear direction and you received back something that was out of sync. That can be frustrating, and now you need a path to move ahead.

<ol><li>Instead of focusing on how you were not listened to, try to find out how you got here. As Stephen Covey wisely taught us: “Seek first to understand.” What did happen? Ask questions, so you have a better sense of what caused the misalignment. Try to clarify the differences. You can say something such as, “I was expecting this, and I got that. Did we have a miscommunication? Did I say something incorrectly, or did you hear something else?” </li><li>Rather than making a contest of who is right or wrong, approach this with an air of wonder. Be open to new possibilities. Is it possible the original assumptions were wrong? Could there be another way? Or, is the best approach to go back to the original </li><li>Remember you are still the boss—you write the paycheck and how you proceed is ultimately up to you. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, and you don’t have to continue to work with someone you lost faith in. You are embarking on an important project and the outcome will be with you for a long time. </li> </ol>

As with most relationships, success really boils down to good communication — or as I often say, over communication. In the future, after each discussion, make it a best practice to recap the project, your expectations, and next steps. That can reduce the risk of wasted time and unclear direction and keep the project on track.

Can this project be saved? How to respond when a proposal totally misses the mark

Seek first to understand

Good team communication

CURATED BY

Related collections

More like this