The 180-Degree Leader

James R. Rector
Publisher, Profiles in Leadership Journal

Most leaders fear looking inconsistent. They dig in, defend, and double down. Yet the best leaders know when to turn-and they do it fast.

A 180 begins with clarity. Name the new fact, the faulty assumption, or the shift in context. Do not dress it up as a minor adjustment. Call it what it is: a turn. People respect honesty more than spin.

Then carry trust through the pivot. Acknowledge the work already done. Show what carries forward. Be clear about what stops today. Assign new owners and short-term targets so the change feels real, not theoretical.

A 180 also requires culture. Encourage team members to surface contrary data early. Ask in every review, what would make us change direction. When the answer arrives, you already have the muscle to move.

Turning is not weakness. It is stewardship. The point is not to be right from the start. The point is to get it right before it is too late.

At Home

Parents know this truth too. Sometimes you set a rule or make a decision, only to realize it doesn’t fit the situation. Admitting the change and explaining why teaches children flexibility and honesty. Families, like teams, grow stronger when leaders model the courage to turn.

About the series: The 3-Minute Leader™ is a weekly micro-essay for emerging and promotable executives.