Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
We live in times where “looking good” often matters more than “being good.”
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We might inaugurate a new road with pomp and circumstance, cut ribbons and receive applause... even knowing that, just weeks later, potholes and cracks will begin to appear.
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On that day, everything “seemed” perfect. But was it really?
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As project and organizational leaders, we have the responsibility to go beyond appearances.
True value delivery isn’t in the inauguration ceremony — it’s in durability, usefulness, and the trust that’s built over time.
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Perception matters, yes. But it must never mask reality.
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Leading ethically means aligning what we communicate with what we actually deliver — and ensuring that being sustains seeming.
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How have you dealt with this dilemma in your projects? Let’s talk. Saving Changes...
Great insights as always, and good to see you back actively in the community! I had a chance to visit your country twice over the last two years (Lisbon, Porto & Aveiro on our first trip & Lagos & Faro on the second) and loved it. If the stars align, my wife and I are planning a few years down the road to start spending the cold Canadian winter months somewhere in Portugal on an annual basis.
With regards to your question, this is a common dilemma when time pressures might trump long term considerations.
One antidote to this is effective, early and ongoing engagement of stakeholders who will be responsible for the care & feeding of the project's outputs beyond the life of the project. Another is to ensure that the project's success criteria and scope includes practices & deliverables supporting sustainability. And finally, good PM oversight functions can also act as guardrails.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Kiron Bondale Thank you for the warm words—it's great to be back and to reconnect with thoughtful voices like yours! I'm delighted to hear you enjoyed your visits to Portugal — Lisbon, Porto, Aveiro, Lagos, and Faro are indeed beautiful and full of character. When the stars align and you return for a longer stay, do reach out — I’d be truly glad to meet you in person and welcome you properly! On your point: absolutely agree. Engaging stakeholders early and continuously, embedding sustainability in success criteria, and leveraging strong PMO oversight are indeed powerful antidotes to short-termism. It’s in these proactive, principle-driven choices that long-term value is secured. Thank you for enriching the conversation! Saving Changes...
ANUPAM SHARMAProject Manager| HONDA MOTORCYCLES AND SCOOTERS INDIA PVT LTDGurugram, India
"We often face moments where 'looking good' overshadows 'being good.' In one of my recent projects, we introduced new technology with great expectations. We celebrated the launch, achieving our quality targets, but failed to meet the desired cycle time. The automation, instead of simplifying the process, added unforeseen complexity.
On the surface, everything 'seemed' to go according to plan. But it was truly not the result we aimed for?
As project leaders, it's our duty to look beyond the initial success. True value isn’t in the ceremony; it’s in the lessons learned, the improvements made, and the trust built through continuous refinement.
Perception matters, but reality matters more. We closed the project, documented what went wrong, and began the work of improvement & initiated new project for improvement. The technology, while not perfect, was a stepping stone to something better.
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1 reply by Luis Branco
Mar 22, 2025 12:44 PM
Luis Branco
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Dear ANUPAM SHARMA Thank you for sharing such a powerful and honest reflection.
Your story perfectly illustrates a critical truth in project leadership: success is not just about deliverables met or milestones checked—it's about the value realized and sustained.
What resonates deeply is your distinction between perception and reality. It takes courage and maturity to move beyond the celebration and face the gap between expectation and outcome.
That’s where real leadership emerges—in the willingness to learn, adapt, and rebuild trust through action.
Turning that experience into a new improvement project shows vision and resilience. As you said so well: true value lies in continuous refinement.
Thank you for inspiring us all to go beyond appearances.
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Mar 22, 2025 12:38 PM
Replying to ANUPAM SHARMA
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"We often face moments where 'looking good' overshadows 'being good.' In one of my recent projects, we introduced new technology with great expectations. We celebrated the launch, achieving our quality targets, but failed to meet the desired cycle time. The automation, instead of simplifying the process, added unforeseen complexity.
On the surface, everything 'seemed' to go according to plan. But it was truly not the result we aimed for?
As project leaders, it's our duty to look beyond the initial success. True value isn’t in the ceremony; it’s in the lessons learned, the improvements made, and the trust built through continuous refinement.
Perception matters, but reality matters more. We closed the project, documented what went wrong, and began the work of improvement & initiated new project for improvement. The technology, while not perfect, was a stepping stone to something better.
Dear ANUPAM SHARMA Thank you for sharing such a powerful and honest reflection.
Your story perfectly illustrates a critical truth in project leadership: success is not just about deliverables met or milestones checked—it's about the value realized and sustained.
What resonates deeply is your distinction between perception and reality. It takes courage and maturity to move beyond the celebration and face the gap between expectation and outcome.
That’s where real leadership emerges—in the willingness to learn, adapt, and rebuild trust through action.
Turning that experience into a new improvement project shows vision and resilience. As you said so well: true value lies in continuous refinement.
Thank you for inspiring us all to go beyond appearances.
