“Everything Looks Like Failure in the Middle” – Kanter’s Law

Everything Looks Like Failure in the Middle” – Kanter’s Law

===> And yet it is not a failure. I credit Rosabeth Moss Kanter for the "trough of despair," a term used to describe the point where a project or initiative appears to be a failure in its middle stages.

🗺️ This phenomenon happens within the context of organizational change, strategic planning, and fundraising plan implementation 

*** My dissertation cited Kanter widely, and the "law" she points to is that "everything looks like a failure in the middle" because the initial enthusiasm wears off and the difficult work of putting things into motion, roadblocks, and unexpected problems arise. 

🫧 Possible solution: this period can lead to anger and hopelessness, making it crucial for leaders to provide encouragement and maintain a long-term perspective to prevent people from giving up.

🤔 A reminder to us all as leaders: we can recognize the feelings of despair are normal and take the opportunity to find a strategy to help others persevere.

===> We can look more closely at addressing reasons for any resistance and provide encouragement to others who might be experiencing something similar. 

*** Anyone experience this for themselves? You are in good company.