THE EFFECTIVE PROBLEMSOLVER #096
This week’s tip: Don’t be complicit in success-washing your work. Tell the truth—even when it’s boring, messy, or doesn’t lead to a win.
When I was younger and managing my first grant, I was asked to write the final report showcasing our results.
It wasn’t a surprise—the funder had been briefed throughout the grant period.
This report was mostly meant for the public: a summary of the work, the outcomes, and what we learned.
So I wrote it up honestly.
Some things worked, others didn’t. We made modest gains. Learned a few things. Nothing major changed.
It was… normal.
The kind of work that takes longer than we’d like, unfolds unevenly, and doesn’t fit easily into neat boxes.
But when I turned in the report, I was asked to re-write it. They wanted a success story.
The message wasn’t hostile. It wasn’t even particularly subtle.
The funder wanted to be seen as part of a win.
A champion.
A successful changemaker.
Of course, I knew what was at stake: playing along might mean another grant. Or help position our organization as one of the “effective” ones for other funders.
So I revised the report. I wish I hadn’t.
A lot of heads nod along
If you’ve been around the block, this story probably isn’t surprising. It happens all the time.
Mayors promote programs because they want them to be true. Commissioners and nonprofit execs pass down the success narrative because few people have the context—or the power—to question it.
And at the national level?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched a panel or keynote where a program is praised as a model.
Everyone nods along.
Sometimes it’s genuine. But too often, the real story only comes out over drinks afterward:
“Yeah, we’re technically doing the model, but it’s not working like they say.”
“There’s no buy-in locally.”
“It looks great in the report, but honestly, we’re struggling.”
Who gets hurt?
So what’s the harm in a few shiny success stories? Who’s really getting hurt?
Here’s who:
- Communities chasing “what works” based on PR, not results
- Staff stuck trying to deliver outcomes that were exaggerated from the start
- Policymakers and funders who think the problem is solved
- The public, who wonders why we’re spending so much with so little to show for it
Whole sectors start pouring resources into things that look good on paper but aren’t bearing fruit on the ground.
And while I’m not saying all reports are fiction—not even most—the honest ones get drowned out in the noise.
Even if just 10% of the field is playing the success-washing game, it warps the ecosystem.
3 Tips for Resisting the Conspiracy for Success
Here’s a few things each of us can do (I promise you’ll sleep better at night):
- Tell the full story, even when it’s not impressive.
A partial truth isn’t harmless—it sets unrealistic expectations and erodes trust. You can highlight wins and talk about what didn’t work. That’s how people actually learn. - Practice “radical transparency” internally first.
Create spaces inside your organization or team where failure is not punished but studied. Make it safe to name what didn’t pan out. That’s where real improvement starts. - Document complexity instead of spinning simplicity.
Resist the urge to reduce your work to a silver bullet or hero narrative. If the path is winding and unclear—say so. That’s what systems change looks like.
Look, a lot of good is happening out there.
But we can only elevate what is working if we’re honest about what isn’t.
It starts with one report. One meeting. One truth told clearly, even if it’s not the story people were hoping for.
Let’s stop selling fairy tales. Let’s start building trust.
See you in two weeks.
