I once worked with a company where leadership had a habit of abandoning projects midway through execution.
It was exactly like canceling football games at halftime. Every. Single. Week.
The first time a game gets called off, players are frustrated but understand. The second time, they start questioning the commitment. By the fifth time, they stop giving 100% from kickoff.
Why would they? They know the whistle could blow at any moment, regardless of the score.
This is what happens in business when leadership consistently pulls the plug on initiatives before completion:
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Initial enthusiasm dies Teams start each project with energy and ambition. When projects are repeatedly killed midway, that enthusiasm evaporates.
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Half-hearted execution becomes the norm Why pour your soul into work that likely won't see the finish line? Teams start hedging their bets, developing a "good enough" mentality.
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Innovation stalls Real innovation requires risk. When teams know any failure will result in immediate project termination rather than iteration, they stick to safe, incremental improvements.
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Talent walks The best players don't stick around when they can't finish games. Your top performers will find teams that let them cross the goal line.
As a leader who's built multiple successful businesses, I've learned that consistency in seeing things through isn't just about the projects themselves — it's about building a culture where people know their work matters.
Sometimes pivots are necessary. But when changing direction becomes a habit rather than an exception, you're not being "agile" - you're being erratic.
Your team notices. And eventually, they stop caring.