I'd also add once the project gets going and leadership realizes it's starting to fall behind they'll ask what they can do to help. I'll reply w/ very real answers like we need wireframes, or language strings or this endpoint isn't ready and we don't even have a spec blah blah but that never seems to go anywhere. Anyone w/ real power is so far out of the weeds and usually busy w/ other things and those of us in the know are in the weeds and have no real power.
While I'm at it there's another thing that boggles my mind. Leaders will say this is the most important project at the company and so much is riding on this project blah blah blah and then they give you a max of 10 minutes to explain all the issues you're facing before they seemingly move on to the next thing. I don't doubt it's importance. I genuinely believe them when they say this is really important but then put your money where your mouth is, roll up your sleeves and actually start driving shit.
While I'm at it there's another thing that boggles my mind. Leaders will say this is the most important project at the company and so much is riding on this project blah blah blah and then they give you a max of 10 minutes to explain all the issues you're facing before they seemingly move on to the next thing. I don't doubt it's importance. I genuinely believe them when they say this is really important but then put your money where your mouth is, roll up your sleeves and actually start driving shit.