The player drove to the basket, there was contact, and I didn't blow the whistle.
Then he turned, crossed the line with his behavior, and I gave him a technical foul.

Some people assume the technical was because I missed the first call.
It wasn't. They were two completely different decisions. One was about whether illegal contact occurred. The other was about behavior.

Leadership works the same way.
Just because you get one decision wrong doesn't mean every decision after it is wrong too.

1️⃣ Own the Miss

Strong leaders don’t need to pretend every decision was correct. Admit what you got wrong, figure out why, and move forward.

Real-life example: A manager makes the wrong staffing decision. Instead of defending it for three months, they acknowledge it and adjust the plan.

2️⃣ Don’t Make a Makeup Call

Leaders often overcompensate after a mistake, giving someone too much freedom, avoiding a tough conversation, or swinging too far in the opposite direction.

Real-life example:

You were too hard on an employee yesterday, so today you avoid holding them accountable for something that genuinely needs to be addressed.

3️⃣ Make the Call in Front of You

The past gives you information. It shouldn’t control the present. Evaluate the situation you have now and make the best decision with the information available.

Real-life example:

A sales strategy failed last quarter. That doesn’t mean the next opportunity deserves hesitation; use what you learned and make the new decision on its own merits.

Final Whistle

You will miss calls. Every leader does. The question is whether one mistake becomes a lesson or starts a chain reaction. Own the miss, reset, and make the next call.

3 things you can do today

• Own it: Name one decision you got wrong.

• Reset: Identify where you may be overcorrecting.

• Call it: Make today’s decision based on today’s facts.

Go Make The Call!

Interested in bringing this message to your next conference? Let's connect. https://thedavidposner.com/connect

David M. Posner, MBA , founder of 3 Point Care Consulting is a highly experienced Leadership Consultant and a nationally recognized speaker. With over two decades of expertise in the leading companies, David has been instrumental in providing valuable insights and innovative solutions to address any industry's pressing challenges.

Learn more visit: www.TheDavidPosner.com