Leadership or Business integrity gets real when the plan shifts.

Hey Reader,

Every Monday, The Wright Step brings you grounded, practical insight across four core pillars:

Leadership | Operations | Mindset | Finance/Marketing

This week we’re zooming in on Leadership, and the kind of integrity that gets tested when the plan shifts.

Clarity Spark​
​​
Leadership integrity isn’t just about sticking to a plan. It’s about being honest when the plan has to change.

Here’s a real story:

A few weeks ago, one of my contracts was renewed. It's one I was excited about because of the impact in the industry it would have created. Three weeks later, I got the call, after an internal strategy shift, the scope of my role was being cut in half. I'd still be able to make an impact but the excitement I had was diminished not to mention there was an ego hit.

This pivot was necessary for them due to a shift in the economic environment. They needed to adapt as a result of this change. I get the business decision. But to be honest.

I’ve built systems that allow me to handle a pivot like this. I had the capacity to absorb the change. But what surprised me was how leadership had gone through a renewal process without transparency around the impending shift.

This wasn’t about budget. It was about structure, and a lack of pre-pivot alignment. It is also about intentional reactions after receiving this type of information.

Whether you're leading a small team or a large organization, your systems should support honest conversations before the annual strategy meeting, not just after. Structural changes don’t usually happen overnight. And if you’ve built strong internal systems, communication rhythms, stakeholder feedback loops, operational visibility, you’re less likely to find yourself blindsiding your team.

The Wright Tool​
​​
​The Pre-Pivot Pulse Check when you have to relay a pivot
​​
If you're considering a renewal, partnership, or restructure, don't just review deliverables. Gauge the ecosystem around the decision. Ask:

1. When was the last time we did a full review of our strategy, resourcing, and goals?
2. Are we aligned across leadership on near-term and long-term priorities?
3. What potential changes are on the horizon that haven’t yet been communicated?
4. Do our systems give us visibility into the right data, performance, engagement, budget, timing?
5. Who will this decision impact, and how might they interpret the change?

This isn’t red tape. This is your early warning system. Catch misalignment before it creates mistrust.

Bonus: When You're on the Receiving End of a Pivot
​​
Not all change is within our control. When someone else shifts the plan, here are five questions to help you respond:

1. Is this change aligned with their stated strategy, or does it indicate a lack of clarity?
2. How does this affect my business model, workload, or capacity?
3. What assumptions did I make going into this agreement?
4. Where can I adapt without compromising my goals or values?
5. What support do I need to recalibrate effectively?

Business Tip
​​
Don’t confuse agility with unpredictability. Great leaders adapt, but they don’t catch their team off guard.

Mindset Reset
​​
I was initially upset. I had turned down other work to continue with this team, because I believed in their mission, their people, and the potential for deep partnership.

But here’s the thing about mindset:

​

So I stepped back. Took the weekend to reset my nervous system. I spent time with family and friends. I went hiking and I did some photography.
​
I gave myself space to feel disappointed, then asked what aligned decisions needed to come next. For my business. For my family. For the life I’m building.

Next week, I’ll walk you through the operational pivot I made. For now, let’s stay grounded in the leadership lesson: when we lead with clarity, we don’t have to clean up confusion later.

Wright Invitation​
​​
If you’re facing a leadership pivot, or see one coming, let’s talk. Book a clarity session and let’s walk through what’s shifting and how to realign with integrity.

Also, mark your calendar: I’m hosting the Zoom In and Zoom Out webinar at the end of August. It’s your chance to regroup, realign, and refocus before the final sprint of the year. Send me a note and I'll send you the invite.

If this landed, forward it to a fellow leader who might need to hear it.

We don’t need more perfect leaders. We need honest ones.

​ Yours in coaching, Karas Wright, B. Psyc, ACC, SBC, CLC Business, Leadership & Executive Coach, Wright Step Coaching  403-861-9917   www.wrightstepcoaching.com  karas@wrightstepcoaching.com IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the named recipient(s) only. If you have received this email by mistake, please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.

​

​