You’ll Know it When You Get There

Before GPS and navigation apps, getting to a new destination meant using a paper map—or asking someone who knew the way. My dad was often that person for me, and his directions were always… unique.

His guidance mixed vague distance estimates, half-remembered street names, and hard-to-describe landmarks. A typical conversation might go like this:

“Go down City Avenue—maybe a mile, or a mile and a half—and then make a right. You’ll know it when you get there.”

I’d press for more details.

“Dad, how do I know if it’s a mile or a mile and a half? And what do you mean I’ll know it when I get there?”

He’d reassure me—vaguely—but he gave me just enough to get started.

Lately, I’ve realized how much that approach applies to life. Whether it’s a big decision at work, navigating a relationship, or pursuing a personal goal, we often want clear, concrete instructions. But the truth is, you don’t always get step-by-step certainty.

Sometimes you have to begin with what you know, make your best guess, and trust that the rest will become clear along the way.

And more often than not—you’ll know it when you get there.

How to lead effectively without having all the answers:

• Make space for progress, not perfection. Waiting for perfect clarity can stall momentum. Act on the best information available, and adapt as you go.
• Empower directional thinking in your team. Encourage others to take initiative—even when they’re not 100% certain. Confidence grows from experience, not theory.
• Recognize the signs of arrival. Success doesn’t always come with fireworks. Be intentional about noticing when a goal has been met or a breakthrough has occurred—and acknowledge it.