Turns Out My Perfect Plan Was... Not Perfect
I ran a summer camp for many years, and one particular summer stands out. The campus we used was undergoing construction, and the combination of little kids and big machines had my worst-case-scenario brain working overtime. So, before camp even started, I made plans—on top of plans—on top of more plans to keep everyone safe.
To say our campus had boundaries would be an understatement. There were tension barriers, caution tape, signs, and strategically placed staff—all to ensure campers stayed exactly where they were supposed to. I even designated a single staircase for campers to use, despite it being the one furthest from most of our activities.
About two weeks in, I was exhausted. Campers kept using the “wrong” stairs. I kept saying “no,” and they were understandably frustrated. Honestly, so was I.
One Friday night, I vented to a friend. After listening patiently, they asked a simple question:
“Why do you have to say no? Is there a way you can say yes?”
That stopped me in my tracks.
I realized I was clinging to a beautifully detailed plan… that just didn’t work. I was so focused on preventing the wrong behavior that I had done nothing to enable the right one.
The next week, I went back to camp with a new mindset. I brainstormed with staff. I gathered the campers who had been the most frequent “rule-breakers” and asked them for input. I listened—really listened. Together, we crafted a new plan that met the safety requirements, respected the site owner’s guidelines, and actually worked for the campers.
Even better? Those former “rule-breakers” became our best helpers. Because they had a voice in the solution, they helped new campers understand how to move safely through campus.
That summer taught me a lesson I’ll never forget:
As leaders, we’re human. We don’t become perfect the moment we earn a title or update our LinkedIn profile. We’re going to make mistakes—and that’s okay.
What matters is how we respond. We can double down and dig in our heels. Or we can pause, acknowledge the misstep, learn from it, and make it right.
Self-awareness is key in those moments. The better we understand ourselves and our motivations, the better we can reflect, reframe, and collaborate with those we lead. That’s how we build trust. That’s how we create space for innovation and shared success.
Becoming a strong, authentic, and effective leader takes time. It takes humility. And it takes the willingness to trade a rigid plan for a better path forward.
Sometimes the best leadership move isn’t sticking to the plan—it’s asking:
“Is there a way to say yes?”
Here’s your next step:
Think of a system, plan, or process that just isn’t working the way you hoped. Instead of enforcing it harder, ask:
- What’s actually getting in the way?
- What would it look like to invite others into the solution?
- Is it time to fix the plan—not the people?
If you're ready to lead with more clarity, creativity, and confidence—but aren’t sure where to start—let’s talk.
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