How often are you wrong?
This week I got to hear John Longmire, former head coach of the Sydney Swans, talk about leadership, change, and being wrong.
He used a simple scale that he called the “change continuum.” A “1” is no change. A “10” is complete revolution. After a tough season, he realized his team was stuck at a 3. Small tweaks. But it wasn’t working. If he didn’t change everything, they were going to keep losing.
The hardest part wasn’t the tactics. It was his ego. His identity was tied up in the game plan. Changing meant admitting he was wrong.
Then he said something I won’t forget:
“If you’re a strong, consistent leader you’re going to make the right decision about 7 out of 10 times. Which automatically means that 3 times out of 10, you’re going to stuff something up.”
That one stuck.
It’s okay to be wrong.
It’s okay to change the plan.
What matters is being honest about it.
What kills you isn’t being wrong.
It’s when your ego gets wrapped up in your decisions.
Take care, friend. Be good.
—Kelly
