How Leaders Move Forward When Things Go Sideways

This past weekend was my last long run before the Savannah Southern Half Marathon on November 15.

It still amazes me that I just ran 12 miles—12 miles! Before I became a runner, that kind of distance felt about as likely as flying to the moon—utterly impossible.

Yet step by step (literally), through consistent training—and, most importantly, running with friends—what once felt impossible has become routine.

Still, the path to running half marathons wasn’t easy. Every step forward came with its own set of challenges, starting with my feet.

I inherited a lot of great things from my dad—a strong work ethic, height, and a positive attitude—but good feet weren’t one of them. Both have been operated on: one for a bunion, the other for a bunion and hammertoes (thanks, Dad).

Foot surgery could have sidelined me, but I identify as a runner. So, after my last surgery, I set a goal: run a half marathon six months later. And I did.

A setback can stall your progress—or become the start of your next great leap forward.

Here’s how to regain momentum when things go sideways:

• Acknowledge what happened. Don’t gloss over it or pretend it didn’t happen. After surgery, I couldn’t even bear weight on my foot. That meant starting again—slowly, deliberately, one step at a time.

• Reframe the story. Shift from what went wrong to what you learned. I could have spent months lamenting my “wonky feet.” Instead, I had the surgeries, followed the recovery plan, and moved forward.

• Create a quick win. Rebuild confidence with something small but visible. For me, it was doing a lap on my knee scooter—from the bed, through the kitchen, and back again—ringing the bicycle bell Ed had installed on my handlebars every single time (much to the annoyance of our three children).

Leadership isn’t about avoiding setbacks. It’s about what you do next.