Don’t Mistake Preparation for Passivity

Published On:

August 13, 2026

Don't Mistake Preparation for Passivity

Years ago, I served on the Board of an organization that meant a great deal to me. Toward the end of my tenure, I was offered a leadership position. I was grateful and overwhelmed. There was another leadership role I quietly aspired to, and I knew I wasn’t ready for it.

At the time, I was disappointed in myself. Why couldn’t I simply raise my hand and figure it out along the way?

Today, I see that moment differently. I wasn’t necessarily holding myself back, I was being honest with myself.

When “Don’t Wait Until You’re Ready” Goes Too Far

We often hear: Don’t wait until you’re 100% ready. Raise your hand and take the opportunity.

There is tremendous value in this advice, particularly for people who underestimate their readiness or have historically been overlooked. Sometimes we need someone to tell us:

You are more ready than you think.

However, if we push that message too far, we risk turning genuine self-awareness into another source of shame.

Why am I still hesitant? Why can’t I just be more confident?

Not every hesitation is a lack of confidence.

There is a fundamental difference between “I’m not ready because I don’t believe I belong” and “I’m not ready because I can see what I still need to learn.”

The first may be a belief to challenge while the latter is information that can become a development plan.

Project Managers Already Understand This

As project managers, we assess readiness all the time. We identify gaps, evaluate risk, understand dependencies, then we make an informed decision about whether to proceed.

We don’t wait for 100% certainty. But we also understand the difference between a manageable risk and a fundamental gap.

Perhaps we should apply the same thinking to ourselves.

Instead of simply asking, “Am I ready?”, we can ask:

“What exactly am I not ready for?”
“Is this fear, or is there a genuine capability gap?”
“What do I need to build?”

Over the years, I wasn’t consciously preparing for that specific leadership role, but I was building. I took on more complex responsibilities. I learned to lead without formal authority, navigate difficult conversations, make decisions with imperfect information and stand behind my recommendations, took on writing and speech classes and consistently stretched the boundaries of my comfort zone.

Much of that growth happened quietly: in projects, mistakes, setbacks and moments when I had to try differently the next time.

Then, years later, I returned to the same organization as a Board member. A leadership opportunity was announced and this time, I raised my hand. My nomination was approved, and I recently joined the organization’s Executive Committee as Co-Chair.

It felt surreal. Not because of the role but realizing that somewhere along the way, while I was busy doing the work, learning, failing, reflecting and trying again, I had become ready.

Preparation Isn’t Passivity

We tend to notice visible ambition, the person who raises their hand, applies for the role or speaks first but ambition can also be quieter.

Learning, observing, building judgment, taking on harder assignments, asking for feedback. working on the parts of ourselves nobody else can see. Not every season of growth looks like forward movement from the outside.

Preparation with intention isn’t passivity. It’s strategy. The challenge is to know the difference between preparing and hiding.

If you’re waiting because you believe you don’t belong, challenge that assumption.
If you’re waiting for perfection, remember that nobody is ever 100% ready.

But if you can genuinely identify capabilities you need to build, don’t shame yourself for acknowledging them.

Build and keep reassessing. Because yesterday’s honest “I’m not ready” can quietly become tomorrow’s outdated belief. Not yet doesn’t have to mean never, redirect it with conscious action to mean: I’m becoming ready.

PML would like to extend a huge thank you to Shiamala Paramasivam for sharing her knowledge and wisdom with the PML community! Learn more about her below and reach out to connect!

About the Author

Shiamala Paramasivam, PMP®, is an Innovation & Commercialization Program and Project Manager with extensive experience leading complex product launches, renovation initiatives, and cost-savings programs within the CPG industry. She brings a strategic, human-centered approach to project delivery, with a particular interest in prioritization, trust-based leadership, and navigating ambiguity with clarity. Beyond her professional work, Shiamala continues to refine her communication craft through formal writing and speaking training, and enjoys macro photography as a creative counterbalance that sharpens observation and perspective. She is an active contributor to the project management community through writing, mentoring, and volunteer leadership.

Connect with Shiamala directly on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiamalap/

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