Do the Work

Do the work, sure, but talk about it too.

Communicate early and often. Lack of communication is easily the most inflammatory ingredient in any project.

Even if it’s a dumpster fire, if communication is early and frequent, then all parties understand that everyone is doing the best they can at all times to find a solution. There’s nothing more to be desired, and confidence in the solution is inevitable.

Conversely, if there is a dumpster fire and a stakeholder hasn't heard from the developer in 2 weeks, or vice versa, tempers are tested.