So you’ve done well at work.

You’ve worked hard, exhibited your abilities, and asked for bigger, more advanced projects and now it’s happened: You are now the lead on a big project you don’t know a whole lot about.

The voice inside says, “YES!!…but now what have I done? Did I bite off more than I can chew??”

So how do you proceed? What do you do?

This has happened to me recently, and I fought through attacking a project that I felt was above my skill level.

Here are six things to help you tackle a project you don’t know how to do.

 

1. Don’t Focus on What You Can’t Do, Focus on What You CAN DO

Most of the time, especially as engineers, we feel like we need to be experts on all subject matter, or know all the steps on how a project should progress. Even if we are doing something for the first time, we feel the expectation is that engineers should be masters of all.

Realize that this might not be reasonable. Maybe you have your boss or others looking to you to BE this expert, but if you have to take a step back and let them know that you aren’t, tell them that you WILL be.

I know, you’re a bit freaked out, but also kind of proud of yourself for earning this opportunity, or maybe it was dropped on you. So use that.

 

Ask Yourself, “What Are the Skills That Got Me To This Point?”

A good thing to remember here (really, all of the time) is to know what your strengths are and continue to develop and rely on them. Focus on what you are good at and build on it.

This will give you a pathway and a quick boost of confidence to attack the unknown.

Here are some of the skills that have served me well:

Planning and Preparation:

Maybe you’ve been working hard at preparing yourself for this opportunity, reading and educating yourself, getting to know the right people, volunteering for related work. Keep this momentum going, and think ahead for your project.

Communication:

Talking to executives at the right times about things that you are passionate about and want to get involved in. You’ve hopefully followed up by letting them know you are an ambitious, hard-working engineer that will find the answer, a problem solver. This still applies. Keep them informed on how this project is under control.

Execution:

You’ve made the right connections, driven the opportunity forward and your ambition has led everyone down this path, already demonstrating YOU are the right person to be the lead on the project.

 

Being prepared, organized, and poised for new opportunities are skills that will continue to equip you for the unknowns that you will encounter anywhere in the future.

Give everyone (including yourself) confidence that you have the skills to execute this project.

You got here because of your passion, ambition, execution, and because you learn fast. These skills really are the building blocks you need to execute a project. Knowledge will come along the way.

 

2. Fake It Until You Make It

This is a total cliché used waaay too much. However, it applies here, but what does this really mean?

In my estimation, “fake it until you make it” is just relying on your instincts, the skills that got you to this point (discussed above), and also anticipating and trying to ask the right questions at the right time.

Really make an effort to LISTEN to what everyone is saying and respond with smart, thoughtful questions. Others will take notice.

Realize you’re doing your best to move the project forward and keep everyone engaged by listening and taking charge.

I had a baseball coach one day that said

“Keep trying hard and good things will happen.”

That was some of the best life advice I’ve ever received.

A positive approach will give you momentum and ready you for the next challenge. You’ll start to find your stride as things progress and start saying “I really can do this!”

Like with a pickup basketball game, just jump in, observe, mimic, and do your best.

 

3. Educate Yourself Constantly, Learn the Language

Don’t know the acronyms that are being thrown out during the meeting? Jot them down during calls and look them up in your free time.

Spend a few minutes here and there reading little blurbs and tidbits on the subject while you are commuting, lounging in the recliner, waiting for the doctor, etc.

LinkedIn is a great resource for this. Join some groups, customize your streams, and listen in on little videos and interact if you can.

Ask your boss if it’s cool to pay for a webinar or some educational materials. Even if the boss doesn’t approve it, you’re showing dedication and passion for the project.

You’ll be surprised when you start noticing these little efforts add up to increase your knowledge base quickly.

 

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

This was already mentioned above, but asking the right questions at the right times is key, further demonstrating to others your leadership, engagement, and quest for knowledge on the project.

It’s ok if project leaders don’t know everything about the subject matter. You can still demonstrate competence without being an expert on the subject.

Leadership is about being decisive and knowing the pathway, executing, communicating, and knowing how to collaborate and utilize a team.

The foundation of a successful project is good communication and collaboration.

In addition, by asking well thought out questions to colleagues inside and outside meetings, you’ll fortify your business relationships and build rapport.

When you have great questions come up, write them down and make it a point to bring them up at the right time.

When you don’t understand something, be humble, be honest, and ask.

 

5. Take Small Steps

I think most engineers do this naturally, but you’d be surprised how many freeze up when a big project is dropped on them. All large projects need to first be broken down into small steps and milestones.

 

Take a Whack at It, Then Iterate

Even though you might not know much yet, do your best in defining objectives that make sense and refine them along the way.

You have to start with something, then iterate, iterate, iterate. Engineers are adept at finding the best solutions and then refining them after more is learned.

Engineers are masters of iteration.

Ask others for input as needed, but having a plan will exhibit confidence, leadership, and that you are already moving the project forward.

 

6. Have a Positive Attitude

Many, many things in life are better done with a positive mindset. Positivity opens the mind so you can better see opportunities, learn, and come up with creative solutions. You set up the brain for intake and ready it for challenge.

A positive attitude is also one of the three most important skills employers look for. Your optimism will rub off on others, and you’ll increase group collaboration and problem solving.

 

Positive Attitudes Can Unlock Brain Power

If you can build on what you’ve accomplished so far, neuroscientists say that you can tap into a natural dopamine circuit in your brain and create a positive feedback loop, boosting your brain power and learning ability.

The key for unlocking this brain power is first realizing the difficult, sometimes stressful learning phase is the gateway to growth and success.

You then keep working hard with extreme focus and then acknowledge any progress, no matter how small. This dopamine reward completes the loop and reduces the stress hormones for the next go around.

When you focus on the milestones and achievements, you begin to realize that you really can lead these projects and you ARE the right person for the job.

This will help you combat imposter syndrome and you’ll demonstrate to your boss (and yourself) that you are ready to take on anything.

 

Conclusion

The overwhelming feeling of being assigned a difficult project you feel is over your head can be daunting and paralyzing.

Just take a deep breath and remember that the six simple tips discussed above can jumpstart the learning process and guide you along:

1. Don’t Focus On What You Can’t Do, Focus On What You Can Do
2. Fake It Until You Make It
3. Educate Yourself Constantly
4. Ask Thoughtful Questions
5. Take Small Steps, Create Milestones, Iterate
6. Have A Positive Attitude

After all, every difficult situation can be framed as a learning opportunity, and will only help you on your mission to become the absolute best version of yourself. The anxiety surrounding tackling a huge project is the gateway to growth.

Feel empowered with the state of struggle and realize the dopamine reward will propel you and give you the energy you need to conquer the world!

Good luck and let me know how your project goes.