Last week was a perfect example. Everything was lined up. The equipment we needed was in hand and things were moving along nicely. The schedule was pretty tight, but the finish line was in view.

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Then it happened.

The rug was pulled out from under me. A critical resource I was depending on to complete an important phase of the project was unexpectedly taken away from me. I was crushed. We were so close.

My natural inclination in situations like that is to turn inward and spiral downward in disappointment and frustration over the fact that my plan has been ruined. It’s so easy to get fixated on what seems like an unnecessary detour in the road. Especially when it’s someone else’s fault. And even more especially when it looks like we’ll never make it to the finish line.

It’s just not fair, right? The temptation to give up is a strong one. But, let’s face it. If you’re the leader, or are trying to become one, that’s not really an option. At least it shouldn’t be except in extremely rare cases.

Have you ever had a plan that fell apart? Maybe I should ask if you’ve had a plan that fell apart in the last week. That would probably be a better question.

Here are four, simple steps you can take to get the train back on the rails.

 

Course Correction

1. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. This is really pitiful. I say this not because I am immune from it, but because I’m all too familiar with it. It’s a very tempting offer from your inner voice.

Don’t get stuck in this quagmire. It’s about as unproductive as it gets and, in the end, after the initial soothing feeling of the pity-party wears off, it provides no meaningful or lasting relief whatsoever.

Not only is this not helpful, it wastes precious time and erodes your credibility with those waiting for you to emerge from the slough of despond. So, in the famous words of Bob Newhart, “Stop it!”

2. Determine the timeframe. When do you have to be finished? Not every situation is like the one I described above, where the finish line was only a few short hours away. You may have plenty of time to regroup and re-engage.

In the event that the deadline is now a major issue, I would encourage you to challenge the assumption that the deadline cannot be re-negotiated. Attempting to re-negotiate isn’t always the best idea, but at least run it through your decision filters and give it decent consideration.

Once you have your bearings on this aspect of the situation you’re in a much better position to take the next step.

3. Examine the alternatives. What options do you have? Notice that I didn’t ask, “Do you have any options?” Again, except in very rare cases, there are always options. They may not be the most attractive options, but there are options.

If time is short, this needs to be done very quickly. Grab any essential teammates and run through a “speed-round” of brainstorming. This is different from a normal brainstorming session where you suspend judgment until all the ideas are out on the table. No time for that. This is rapid-fire: name the idea and evaluate it.

Obviously if time allows, pull together the right talent and do a more thorough brainstorming and re-evaluation.

4. Make a decision and move forward. My tendency is to wait until I have the new, perfect plan. But, as General George S. Patton is famous for saying, “A good plan, violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.”

Now that you have the options on the table, its time to pull the trigger and get back in the game. Some of us are very decisive and quick in these situations, and as a result, sometimes too quick. Others of us are more thorough and cautious, and as a result, sometimes too slow. It’s actually nice if you have a mixture of these brain types working together.

The bottom line is that one of the things leaders do is make tough decisions. If there isn’t clear agreement on the team, you’ve got to make the final call…and own it.

The Rest of the Story

I’m glad to report that the apparent train-wreck I mentioned at the opening of this post actually turned out very well. I surprised myself and followed my own advice.

I shook myself out of the self-pity that was beginning to grip me, grabbed my teammates, quickly assessed the situation, considered 2-3 alternatives, made a decision and plunged forward. Everyone jumped on board and we pulled off a huge win.

The end wasn’t perfect, but it was very close. And it was decidedly better than what it would’ve been if I‘d gotten stuck in the mire of self-pity.

So unless you find yourself in a situation that might make it into the next episode of MacGyver, walk through these steps and create the next-best outcome.

Question: What is typically your first thought when your plan fails? Share your answer in the Comments Section.

 

Seize the day!