When to Change The Plan

When to change a plan is not something that you learn from a book.

You have to learn it in the field when things are changing - pop - pop - pop - and it's clear that what was charted out in calmer and more pleasant surroundings isn't going to work. There is a strong temptation to stick to the plan because amid the confusion any change can look a lot like chaos. You may nervously spur that beautiful plan and ride it into disaster.

If the plan isn't working, odds are you'll sense that it is not a good fit with reality. At that point, you either need to change reality or change the plan. Usually, the latter is easier - a major understatement - and yet you will have a limited opportunity to make that change. Bad plans mixed with reality can quickly turn into cement.

When bad things are happening, your job as a leader is to make good things happen. That starts by making things happen, period. The worst place to be caught is between two decisions.

How do you learn which way to move? You acquire that judgment by leading. You build one of the most important qualities in the world: an informed instinct.