IIWII: Why “It Is What It Is” Isn’t Good Enough

You’ve heard it before. Maybe you’ve even said it.

“It is what it is.”

It usually shows up in the aftermath — a project that missed the mark, a decision that didn’t land, a moment where frustration overtakes clarity. And while it might sound like acceptance, more often than not, it’s a placeholder for avoidance. A missed opportunity to lead.

What “IIWII” Really Means (In Practice)

In my experience, when someone throws out “it is what it is,” they often knew the risks well in advance. Maybe they didn’t feel heard. Maybe they were too tired to push back. Maybe they just didn’t want to be the one to slow things down.

Whatever the reason, silence before the storm rarely helps. The issue isn’t always the outcome — it’s the absence of shared understanding before and after it happens.

Too often, people with knowledge or experience choose not to speak up, and when things go sideways, they offer resignation instead of insight.

Why Foresight Matters More Than Hindsight

Not everything is predictable. But many problems are visible — even if uncomfortable to name. Strategy, planning, and candid discussion aren’t guarantees of success, but they’re the best shot we have at aligning expectations with reality.

When leaders default to “it is what it is,” they risk normalizing inaction and detachment. That shrug — intentional or not — can erode trust, especially when others are left to deal with the fallout.

What the Best Leaders Do (Nexus 6 in Action)

From what I’ve seen, the most effective leaders approach these moments differently:

• OWN: Take responsibility for outcomes — including missed conversations or ignored red flags.

• SOLVE: Don’t just move on. Reflect. Debrief. Extract the lesson.

• TEAM: Share context. Pass along the experience so others don’t repeat avoidable mistakes.

• LEARN: Make space for understanding why things happened — not just what happened.

• ALIGN: Be honest about what you knew, when you knew it, and how you responded.

• SHARE: Trade the shrug for substance. Clarity helps others navigate complexity.

The Bottom Line

Some things are truly outside our control. But silence, in most cases, isn’t one of them.

Leadership doesn’t always require answers. But it does require reflection — and the willingness to help others understand what’s at stake, what was missed, and what could be done differently next time.

“Acceptance without insight is just surrender dressed up in words.”