Take the fear out of your next public service project with these helpful tips and tricks

BY BAYLEE AKINS

If you're a scary movie aficionado, you've probably learned a lot about how not to end up in sticky situations. While not quite as terrifying as walking through the woods at night without a flashlight, we bet there are times when your projects have given you a fright or two.

We've compiled some of our top lessons learned from our experiences in public service to keep you out of harms way on your next big project.

Avoid the clumsy escape

Being proactive helps to avoid getting caught on your heels when everything starts to kick into high gear. When you know projects, outreach and engagement are headed your way, the sooner you can start planning the better.

Never play hide and seek

Your audience will always find you! When you remain stagnant and avoid getting ahead of the narrative, you're leaving your audience to fumble around alone in the dark. By meeting them where they are at in a timely manner, you can guide your audience to where you'd like them to go.

Warning: Scary things come in small packages

Seemingly small issues left untreated can cause big issues later. What seems like a minor detail at the start of a project can quickly spiral out of control if not tended to properly. This is why research and planning are so important; they allow us to mitigate risk and address potential issues while they're small to avoid potential blow back when the train has already left the station.

Don't split up!

Scary movie rule number one, never split up! The same rule applies when working on public service projects. There is strength and stability in teamwork and alignment that creates a strong foundation for any engagement. When your project spans multiple departments, agencies or stakeholders, sticking together will get you farther than forging individual paths.

Avoid jump scares

Research and planning are essential to avoiding those dreaded mid-project surprises that can feel like jump scares. When you plan for all eventualities ahead of time, you're prepared to jump on any surprises that come your way.