What to do when your ideas get blocked.
May 1, 2024
Build better
As a program manager, 75% of your job is pitching ambitious ideas to stakeholders.
But sometimes, despite your best efforts, you hit a roadblock, or flat out rejection (usually in the form of a stakeholder who's quick to shoot down your idea due to budget constraints, resource limitations, competing priorities, etc. etc. etc.).
Here are five ways to get the ball back in your court:
You know what they say, “if you want a dog, ask for a horse.” Typically, I outline three: 1) The Reach, 2) The Ideal, and 3) The Absolutely Not. Begin with The Reach, followed by The Ideal, and end with The Absolutely Not. Together, these options help illustrate the range of possibilities, and consequences.
As a program manager you have to demonstrate business value. You can pitch a million things, but if you aren’t explaining why they’re imperative to the business, you’re not convincing anyone but yourself.
If you get rejected, that’s fine, but make sure you know why. Whatever the reason is, you’ll be prepped for future pitches as you now have insights on what your team, department and company are prioritizing.
Keep refining your approach, seeking feedback, and looking for opportunities to move your program forward.
What did work in your pitch? Was a stakeholder excited about another aspect of your program? Were you able to secure a full-time designer for this project? There's usually a silver lining; it's just a matter of being in the right mindset to find it!
