You listen to the outline of The Plan. It is impressive. You've even had a hand in shaping it. But something doesn't feel quite right. A piece is missing.
Brothers and sisters, when that feeling arrives, don't ignore it. Your fine mind is sending a warning from the future.
Often, your suspicions stem from a part of The Plan which is hazy and perhaps is even dependent upon hope more than facts.
How did that happen?
Very easily. A dangerous part of the planning process is reached when people get tired and impatient. The planning team has gone over draft after draft and its members are eager to wrap things up. People are reluctant to propose more analysis because they know their team mates are as tired as they are, deadlines are howling, and dissent is becoming almost treasonous. After all, part of planning has already involved discussions about how to win support. Surely all possible objections have been discussed and resolved.
All but one, that is.
When that feeling sinks its teeth into your brain, try to zero in on the precise part of The Plan which makes you uncomfortable and then explore the reasons for your discomfort. In my experience, that extra scrutiny can identify some pretty reckless assumptions or omissions. That artful dodging revolves around a task or fact which would be unpleasant; something which people do not want to confront. Rather than dealing with it, the planning team crafted an unspoken agreement to embrace a superficial solution which, although ineffective, involved no unpleasantness. They would not admit to having done so, but they did it.
That area is where the dragons dwell. Ignore that at your peril.
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