You attend a presentation. Slick graphics, concise messaging, soothing speaker.
But something bothers you. It does not feel right. Similar such projects have failed before. This sounds too good to be true. But that is not a reason to withhold your support, so you say 'I agree' to a request to commit, but sit silently, unease increasing.
Then the fog starts to clear. There is a difference between what you heard in the meeting and what is happening in the organization. The emphasis in the meeting was more on building emotional coalition, not real problem solving. The hidden agendas were in plain sight. The elephant in the room had not showered for years but everyone was ignoring the smell because they had got used to the smell!
If you really want to make a difference, show the leadership to first define the problem, then build a coalition of your own. Getting cynical is not the answer. If the problem is worth solving, then go about doing so systematically and methodically. Focus on what you can control: your lack of skills and your unwillingness to confront that reality is contibuting to the problem.
Life is too short to be cynical and negative. If the situation is overwhelming you, find a different job, but don't be surprised if you see history repeat itself. After all, the same problems exist everywhere and you haven't really changed. At the end of the day, you can't run away from yourself.
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