When managing project dependencies, it's important to balance clear communication of consequences with empathy for all stakeholders. Consider waiting on deliverables from the Design team: First, clearly communicate your deadlines and potential impacts (like client dissatisfaction) if deadlines are missed. Then, acknowledge the Design team's challenges, such as their heavy workload. You might suggest they discuss reprioritization with their managers to find a solution. Remember that strong professional relationships are key - building these connections early helps navigate such situations more effectively

Try to find the root cause. While it is completely acceptable to have such delays once in a while, if it is happening quite often, you need to target the root cause of it. It can be anything from unclear expectations to last-minute updates. Talk to the stakeholders and try to recognize the pattern. That will help you mitigate the delays in the process.

If I’m waiting on crucial assets, I’d start by prioritizing what I can do in the meantime like preparing captions, brainstorming other content ideas, or scheduling posts that don’t rely on those assets. I’d also stay in touch with the team to gently follow up, while keeping flexibility in my schedule. If the delay is long, I’d consider adjusting the content plan or using available resources to keep things moving.

Experience has taught me to always be prepared for delays. When I’m waiting on assets, I lean on a backup plan. I’ll first coordinate with the team or person responsible to try and resolve any hold-ups. If the delay is unavoidable, I’ll shift to my backup—whether that’s resharing valuable content, engaging followers, or sharing timely insights. I make it a priority to keep everything on track, ensuring that one delay doesn’t create a ripple effect in the schedule

When assets are delayed, I see it as a chance to refine strategy. First, I assess if we can adapt by reusing high-performing past content or leveraging trending industry insights to keep engagement steady. This approach not only fills gaps but often surprises us with new engagement insights. Meanwhile, I use the pause to collaborate closely with designers and copywriters, enhancing upcoming content’s creative direction. By treating delays as windows for quality enhancement, we turn potential setbacks into strategic opportunities.