No project is immune to setbacks, but when things go off course, how you respond within the first 30 days can determine whether you steer it back to success or watch it sink. Rescuing a failing project requires clarity, decisiveness, and resilience—the same qualities embodied by the world’s most inspiring women who have broken barriers and reshaped history.
Step 1: Face the Challenge Head-On
The first step in turning things around is an honest and immediate project assessment. Just as pioneers like Marie Curie and Amelia Earhart pushed forward despite obstacles, project leaders must fearlessly examine the root causes of failure—whether it’s scope creep, communication breakdowns, or resource constraints. Gather insights from stakeholders and team members, pinpoint the key issues, and redefine a clear path forward.
Step 2: Rally the Team and Realign the Mission
Great leaders—from corporate powerhouses like Indra Nooyi to change-makers like Malala Yousafzai—know that a shared vision unites people in difficult times. Revisit the project’s objectives and reset priorities, eliminating distractions and non-essential tasks. Ensure your team is aligned, motivated, and ready to move forward with a renewed sense of purpose.
Step 3: Strengthen Communication and Trust
Transparent communication is at the heart of every great movement. The women who’ve driven social and business revolutions didn’t do it alone—they built strong networks. Establish frequent check-ins, set clear expectations, and ensure every stakeholder is informed. A crisis becomes manageable when people feel heard, valued, and empowered to take action.
Step 4: Take Bold, Decisive Action
On the eve of International Women’s Day (March 8, 2025), we celebrate the women who have stepped into leadership when the world needed them most. From Rosa Parks to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Ursula von der Leyen, their bold decisions changed history. Project leaders must embrace the same courage—making swift, strategic moves to stabilize the project, empowering teams to act decisively, and finding creative solutions under pressure.
Step 5: Find Small Wins and Build Momentum
Every milestone matters. Just as history’s greatest women built lasting legacies one step at a time, celebrating small victories in project recovery boosts morale and reinforces progress. Quick wins create momentum, keeping the team engaged and focused on the ultimate goal.
This International Women’s Day, let’s honor the resilience, leadership, and innovation of women who have turned obstacles into opportunities. Whether in boardrooms, laboratories, or global movements, their stories remind us that setbacks don’t define us—our response does. So when a project is sinking, rise up, take charge, and prove that challenges are simply the starting line for something greater.
Who are the women who inspire you to lead with confidence and resilience?
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About the Writer
Dr. Brian Williamson is the Executive Director with PMO Advisory and a Visiting Lecturer in Leadership and Management Studies at the University of Oxford. A global authority in business transformation, employee experience, and purpose-driven project management, he has authored multiple books.
