The Hidden Force That Keeps Teams Pushing Ahead

Mar 20, 2025

This is Part 3 of my 4-Part Leadership Series, where I break down lessons from endurance training and team-based challenges.

These insights apply just as much to the boardroom and your sales team as they do to the trail.

Let’s dive in.

Most leaders stick to the plan.

They set the course, communicate expectations, and expect execution to follow.

But the most effective leaders?

They know that real leadership isn’t just about setting the plan—it’s about knowing when to adjust it.

Because no matter how well you prepare, no matter how clear your direction is, things rarely go exactly as planned.

And what separates good leaders from great ones is the ability to observe, adapt, and pivot when needed.

I saw this play out firsthand on Sunday’s trail run at Tribal Camp.

Sunday’s trail run was meant to be an easy 6-mile shakeout.

The plan was simple:

But three miles in, I could feel something was off…

We were all sore, under-slept, and feeling the weight of the weekend…

I could have stuck to the plan and kept the group moving forward as expected.

But I don’t want to be the kind of leader that forces plans that aren’t working…

I Observe and Pivot.

When we reached the top of a long, steep hill, I stopped the group.

Instead of continuing with the easy effort, I called an audible.

"We’re gonna switch things up."
"We’re gonna go back down this hill, then do two hard repeats up it."

It was unexpected. And it was a sharp shift from the plan.

But here’s what happened next:

The result?

Everyone instantly found they had more to give.

We felt stronger, sharper, and more accomplished.

And instead of just checking a box on a sluggish recovery run, we stole a big mental win.

Then celebrated together with a quick coffee shop stop before church.

The original plan wasn’t wrong.

But leadership isn’t about sticking to the script—it’s about reading the situation and adjusting when needed.

Observe and Pivot.

Had I forced the plan, we would have finished the miles—but we wouldn’t have left with the same energy, confidence, and sense of progress.

And this applies everywhere:

In business → The strategy that you started the quarter with isn’t working. Are you willing to adjust?
In training → You may have a plan for the session, but are you paying attention to what your body is telling you?
In family leadership → Are you so focused on the plan that you’re missing the signs your wife is giving you right now?

Great leadership isn’t just about creating the plan…

It’s about observing and pivoting—at the right time.