Change with Confidence: Answers to the 50 Biggest Questions that Keep Change Leaders Up at Night

Chapter 40

What Do I Do When I Don't Know What to Do?

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don't know what to do.

—John W. Holt Jr.

During big change projects, leaders typically face issues they have never experienced before. The cross-departmental nature of these assignments adds complexities that are different from issues within departments: organization-wide solutions that meet multiple stakeholders' needs are required. How you manage these challenges is important because this will define your leadership style and perceived capability. Your stakeholders and team members will be watching how you react in pressurized situations and will form their conclusions accordingly. You need to take charge, ...