The Apple of Discord: Why the Uninvited Stakeholder Derails Delivery

Christopher Nolan's Odysseus has brought ancient Greek mythology back into the spotlight, making it worth remembering how the Trojan War actually started: an uninvited guest throwing a golden apple into a wedding feast.

In large institutions, leadership teams frequently repeat King Peleus' mistake. They engage comfortable allies and senior sponsors (thank Zeus), while leaving awkward or inconvenient voices across compliance, risk, or audit off the guest list. Months down the line, that neglected stakeholder appears with an apple of discord that halts delivery.