When Things Go Sideways

It is never easy to be a leader when outcomes aren’t as expected or performance isn’t what anyone expected. The most natural impulse is to avoid talking about the mess. Or, if forced to address the topic, to obfuscate, deny, and spin the situation in the most positive light possible.

This article by Nancy Duarte in Sloan Management Review suggests other options based on what went wrong and how the repercussions are likely to play out in the organization’s future. Good guidance for those in charge.