Leading Change Without a Perfect Plan: What I Learned the Hard Way

Photo by Aurelijus U

When I was offered a Vice President of Sales role, I hesitated.

Not because I didn’t want it—but because I wasn’t sure I was ready. I had built a strong track record leading a sales team, but this was different. It required scaling processes across multiple regions, managing former peers, and stepping into executive leadership.

I thought I needed a perfect plan before saying yes. But leadership doesn’t work like that.

The reality? You have to build the car while driving it.

Waiting for the Perfect Plan Will Keep You Stuck

Many leaders hesitate to make big moves because they don’t feel fully prepared. I’ve seen it in my coaching work, too—leaders who hold themselves back because they think they need every answer before taking action. But the truth is: certainty is a myth.

When I stepped into the VP of Sales role, there was no roadmap for the kind of change we needed. I had to make decisions without complete information, manage resistance from experienced team members, and adjust strategy on the fly.

At first, this was uncomfortable. But over time, I learned how to lead through uncertainty rather than wait for clarity.

How to Lead Change Without a Perfect Plan

✅ Focus on Direction, Not Perfection Your team doesn’t need you to have all the answers—they need you to set a clear direction and adapt as you go.

✅ Make Small, Strategic Moves You don’t have to transform everything overnight. Identify one or two key levers that will create momentum.

✅ Communicate What You Know Even when the path forward isn’t crystal clear, share what you do know. Uncertainty feels less overwhelming when people understand the bigger picture.

✅ Trust Your Ability to Figure It Out Leaders don’t succeed because they have the perfect plan. They succeed because they’re willing to act, learn, and adjust.

Key Takeaway: "Great leaders don’t wait for certainty—they create momentum."

If you’re leading through uncertainty right now, don’t let the need for a perfect plan hold you back. Take the next step, and trust that you’ll build as you go.

👉 Want to sharpen your ability to lead through change? Let’s connect. Learn more about executive coaching and how it can help you navigate leadership with confidence.