Make sure your initiative is set up for success

- Before you take on a new initiative, ask yourself, do I truly have the support I need to succeed? Let me tell you a quick but painful story about what happens when you don't. Angela was recruited to lead a major innovation project at a traditional manufacturing company. She was chosen because she had successfully launched a similar initiative at her previous company, a software firm where she had worked for 10 years. Excited and motivated, she jumped in immediately, building a strong business case, outlining key milestones, and backing everything up with solid data. But there was one problem. No one would support her. Her colleagues wouldn't allocate resources, refused small pilot tests, and constantly cited concerns about cost and risk. Frustrated, Angela went to her manager expecting guidance. Instead, she was told, your job is to make things happen. She had all the tools, experience and vision, but without real leadership support, her initiative was dead on arrival. Here's the twist. About a year before I met Angela, a friend of mine was offered the same role. He turned it down. Why? Because when he asked a few critical questions, the answers raised red flags. Before stepping into a leadership role for a new initiative, you need clarity on the following. Where does this initiative fit on the company's priority list? If leadership sees it as a side project rather than a top priority, securing resources will be a constant battle. What budget has been committed to this effort? If funding isn't set aside, you'll constantly struggle for support. What kind of team will I have? If you're expected to succeed without dedicated people, reconsider. Who is my executive sponsor, and more importantly, what happens to them if this initiative fails? If their career isn't tied to its success, they may not fight for you when it matters. Even if you're a highly skilled entrepreneur, and even if you've done this before, you must ensure the organization is truly behind you. In an ideal world, you would have the wind at your back, but at the very least, you can't be fighting constant headwinds. I know these conversations can feel uncomfortable. It might seem pushy to demand answers or even to consider walking away, but this is exactly the moment to be clear because here's the truth, excitement fades. In the beginning, leadership is energized by new ideas, but as time goes on, their attention shifts to other projects. If you don't lock in their commitment early, you'll find yourself fighting for scraps later. Think of the early days of your initiative like the honeymoon phase of a marriage. Passion and enthusiasm are high, but long-term success requires commitment, resources, and follow-through. So before you say yes to leading a big initiative, make sure you aren't just being promised support. Make sure it's real.