When the Decision Doesn’t Go Your Way — Leading with Grace and Grit
When the Decision Doesn’t Go Your Way — Leading with Grace and Grit
It’s not hard to lead when everything lines up with your thinking.
The real test comes when it doesn’t.
Like being handed the oars for a journey you didn’t chart — and still being expected to steer with purpose. That’s when grace and grit matter most.
Some of the toughest moments in leadership come when a decision is made that you don’t agree with. You’ve contributed your whakaaro. You’ve voiced your concerns. But once the decision is made, your role shifts — from debate to delivery. And your team? They’re watching. Not for perfection, but for presence.
This is where mature leadership shows up — not in the winning of the argument, but in the strength to align, support, and carry forward with integrity.
You might say something like:
“There were different perspectives in the room, and we had the chance to work through those. Now that a decision’s been made, we’re backing it as a team — and I’m here to support us to move forward together.”
It doesn’t give away your personal stance. But it signals something bigger: unity, steadiness, and mana.
Of course, it’s normal to feel the sting when your view wasn’t the one that carried. Taking a moment to process — with a trusted colleague, mentor, or coach — can help ground you. And then, it’s about the pivot: from reaction to response. Because passive resistance erodes trust. But grounded alignment builds it.
Angela Duckworth’s work on grit reminds us that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back — it’s about sticking with what matters most over time. Grit means leading with commitment, even when it’s uncomfortable. Especially when it’s uncomfortable. And when you lead like that, you create the kind of culture where others feel safe to stay with the kaupapa too — even when the wind shifts.
So if you find yourself on the other side of a decision this week, take a breath. Anchor back to your purpose. Lead with clarity, care, and consistency.
That’s mana in motion.
A Question to Sit With:
What’s one thing you can say — or model — this week that shows steady, values-based leadership, even when the decision wasn’t your own?
Go with mana,
Mary-Anne