Why Do We Sell Watermelons? How to Lead Projects with Honesty.
A few years ago, I was leading a project that looked flawless on paper.
Status updates? All green.
Risks? “None reported.”
Stakeholder confidence? Sky high.
And yet, every check-in with the team revealed hesitation: brief pauses, vague updates, a sense of “everything’s fine” without facts to back it up.
It wasn’t until one brave team member shared what was happening behind the scenes. Tasks marked as “complete” weren’t fully finished. The quality of that work was affecting others’ ability to move forward, creating frustration, miscommunication, and a bit of chaos among team members.
This was my first encounter with the watermelon effect—green on the outside, red inside.
The Watermelon Effect: Why It Happens
The watermelon effect isn’t about dishonesty—it’s about safety. Teams often stay silent because:
Fear of blame
Past experiences where bad news wasn’t welcome
Lack of clear red-flag processes
Hope that things will naturally get better on their own
In many organizations, “good news” is rewarded more than the truth. When that happens, silence becomes the default.
Silence Is Not a Green Light
No news does not mean good news. In project work, silence is often the first warning sign:
Weekly reports all marked green
Risks always “none” or “low”
Stakeholder updates that avoid specifics
Behind that quiet exterior, issues grow—becoming bigger, costlier, and harder to fix.
Escalation Protocols: The Safety Valve
A healthy project needs clear pathways for raising concerns.
Define clear steps: Who to inform and what is the communication protocol.
Set thresholds: Determine which issues require team-level discussion versus leadership attention.
Communicate expectations: Everyone should know that reporting a problem early is encouraged and valued.
Follow up constructively: Leaders should respond with solutions, not blame.
When escalation protocols are clear, red flags surface early—before they become crises.
How to Turn Watermelons Into Healthy Projects
Healthy projects aren’t just green in reports—they’re green all the way through. Here’s what makes the difference:
Define red and yellow early: Agree with stakeholders on triggers so there’s no ambiguity.
Establish safe escalation paths: Reporting issues early is a strength, not a weakness.
Respond constructively, not reactively: Focus on fixing problems, not finding fault.
The Shift That Changes Everything
When teams know they can speak up without fear, everything changes: problems surface sooner, leaders make better decisions, and stakeholders trust the information they’re given.
Quick FAQ
What is the watermelon effect in project management?
When a project appears green in reports but hides red issues beneath the surface.
Why do teams hide problems?
Fear of blame, pressure to appear successful, or lack of a safe escalation process.
How do you prevent it?
Set clear status thresholds, establish escalation protocols, create psychological safety, and reward early problem reporting.
What’s the benefit of honest project reporting?
Faster fixes, better decisions, stronger trust, and healthier projects.