One time I was with a group of senior executives and we were talking about a deadline. They were very interested in hearing when I thought this task would be complete. I walked them through the steps to complete the task: “first this, then that, then some other stuff, ….” when I threw in “and then shit happens” and then finally it will be ready. There eyes bugged out and looked amongst themselves like “Oh no you didn’t!”

Of course what I meant, which I explained, was that something always goes wrong. When it does it will delay the task, but it will not be a “show stopper”. We’ll adapt to the situtation, work around, over, or through the temporary obstacle, and finally complete the task. It was a choice moment. The looks on their faces was pure gold. I just didn’t feel like getting into the gory details so I , uhum, papraphrased.