One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned as a leader is that it’s not what happens in the moment that truly matters — it’s what happens next.
Think about it: when a crisis arises, a mistake is made, or a challenge surfaces, that thing that occurs can feel like the most important moment. But the reality is, it’s not, it’s the follow-up — the choices and actions taken afterward — that holds far more weight. How you navigate the aftermath is what defines your leadership.
Too often, leaders focus so much on making the “right” decision upfront that they forget leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about adaptability, resilience, and follow-through. A decision might seem sound at the time, but what truly determines success is how you respond when new information arises, when an accident occurs, when plans don’t unfold as expected, or when the unexpected throws you off course.
More than once before, we’ve explored how rigid, top-down leadership stifles creativity and engagement. The same applies here: if you’re too fixated on a single path forward, you risk missing key opportunities to pivot, adjust, and ultimately lead more effectively.
And in this recent post, we discussed the importance of revisiting decisions to ensure they still serve their purpose. Leadership isn’t just about setting a direction — it’s about having the courage to question whether that direction is still the right one.
So, what does great leadership look like in practice? It looks like:
- Owning mistakes and learning from them. A strong leader doesn’t pretend they got it right the first time. They acknowledge when something isn’t working and take steps to improve.
- Checking in with your team. Leadership isn’t a solo act. If your decision impacts others, get their input on how it’s playing out in real time.
- Staying flexible. The best leaders know when to double down and when to pivot. If something isn’t yielding the right results, be willing to adjust.
At the end of the day, leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. The question isn’t whether you’ll make mistakes or face challenges (because you will). The question is: what happens next?
Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash
