This week, I got asked to do something I didn’t take lightly. We were commissioned to design a strategy presentation for the CEO and business unit directors of a multibillion-rand business.

That’s not just a deck but a boardroom moment that can and will shape the company’s future. It’s the kind of project you only get invited to once someone really trusts you.

I was humbled. Grateful. Focused.

But before I could even finish soaking that in, another email hit.

SARS blocked a shipment, again. We’d paid the VAT. The clearance. Everything.

But suddenly they questioned my business address. No logic. No warning. Just red tape threatening a R500,000 delivery to one of our largest clients, who, if this isn’t resolved, could lose their funding entirely and that will be catastrophic.

Two moments. Same week. One feels like a win. The other? A punch to the gut.

This Is the Real Question:

What does it really mean to be the one people trust?

It doesn’t mean things always go right. It means you show up – even when the chaos is reigning.

It means your client doesn’t see the chaos you’re handling behind the curtain. They just feel calm. Confidence. Delivery.

It means juggling celebration and crisis with the same level of focus.

Trust Isn’t Built in the Pitch Deck

Anyone can sound impressive when things are smooth. But when the wheels come off? That’s when trust is either earned or lost.

This week I:

• Delivered on a request we’d never done before – and made the client look good. Kudo’s to my team!
• Made 90% of my to-do list happen (and I’m counting that as a win).
• Showed up fully for my team(virtual counts, right?).
• Played a solid padel match in the Men’s League and remembered what balance feels like.

And yes, I had to deal with the SARS fire, because when a trusted client’s delivery is on the line, you don’t wait it out. You handle it. Even when it makes no sense.

Better Answers Aren’t Always Bigger Ones

Sometimes, the better answer isn’t a bold plan or clever strategy. It’s a quiet choice to stay steady when things feel unfair.

So if you’ve been like me, in the messy middle this week – between celebration and chaos, just know:

You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just doing real business.

Want Help When the Pressure’s On?

That’s why I built AskDavid – So when the pressure is high, and you can’t afford to waste time guessing, you’ve got a thinking partner who helps you stay strategic, calm, and clear.

Written by David Wilson (human), accelerated by AI (the precision) May 16, 2025.