Last year, one of my strategic projects took a pivot. And when I say pivot, I mean it split into two entirely different projects—each heading toward outcomes that weren’t part of the original plan.
Why did that happen? Because what we thought we needed to learn turned out not to be what we actually needed to know. About halfway through the year, it became clear we were measuring the wrong thing. Once that realization hit, the path forward changed. As the work unfolded, it taught me something important: sometimes the smartest move is to pivot AND we did. I was aligned with my boss, the work made sense, and the results were solid.
Here’s where the real lesson showed up.
I forgot to communicate the pivot.
As I moved forward with two new projects and new outcomes, people around me were confused. From their perspective, it looked like I’d suddenly gone off in a different direction—or worse, that I was doing my own thing. The work itself was good, but the lack of context created doubt. The gap wasn’t effort, intention, or strategy. It was communication.
Lesson learned: a pivot that isn’t communicated can look like misalignment, even when alignment exists. Change doesn’t just require a new plan—it requires a clear narrative. If you don’t explain why the direction shifted, people will fill in the blanks themselves AND they can get it wrong.
So now I know: when you pivot, say it out loud. Early. Clearly. Often. Progress isn’t just about adapting your strategy—it’s about making sure others understand the turn you’re taking and why it matters.
PIVOT….