The ‘Perfect’ Plan is a Trap: How to Lead When the Map Changes

"The map is not the territory." – Alfred Korzybski

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a BIKE

I remember being a kid, riding my bike through the neighbourhood, imagining I was in an airforce jet, flying through the sky, taking sharp turns and zooming down hills. In my head, I was covering miles of land at insane speeds. But in reality? I was just circling the same 1-2 blocks on my street, over and over. My mind was racing, but the terrain hadn’t changed.

Fast forward to now. When I’m on a flight, I look out the window and watch the world below shift rapidly as the plane speeds by. When I compare what I see out the window with the map on the screen, It’s clear that that map isn’t reality, it’s just an animation, a visual representation meant to give me a sense of where we are, relatively speaking.

We see life through filters

Life is exactly like that. What we see, what we interpret, what we experience is all filtered through our own mental maps. 

Our minds create the world we interact with, based on how we process the events in our lives. Think about the last conversation you had with a loved one. Were you both hearing the same thing? Interpreting the tone, the gestures, the words, through your own personal filters? The truth is, we all work off different maps.

So, how can we ever expect to stand firm on anything and call it a fact with 100% certainty? Sure, 1+1 will always equal 2, but beyond simple, concrete things, the map—our picture of reality—is always just an approximation. And each person’s map is slightly different.

The Cognitive Map: A real-life metaphor for leadership

This brings me to Edward Tolman’s famous experiment from the 1940s, where he introduced the concept of "cognitive maps,” the mental representations of the world we all create. Tolman had rats navigate a maze, some with a map showing multiple paths and others with just one. The rats with the complex map adapted faster when the path changed. Those with just one path struggled.

Now, here’s the thing: we’re all like those rats, operating on the internal maps we’ve built based on our unique experiences. The difference? The map is never the reality. It’s just an approximation, a filter through which we process the world. Our maps shape the way we interact with others, how we interpret situations, and how we lead.

Everyone’s got a different map, stop pretending yours is the only one that works

When I was on my bike, thinking I was flying through the sky, my mental map didn’t match up with the reality of me circling the same blocks. And guess what? That happens in leadership, too. We all operate on our own mental maps, but those maps don’t always align with the reality others are living. This can lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities to connect.

Application Tip:

When you’re working with your team, recognize that each person is coming at things from a different map. If someone reacts unexpectedly to feedback, don’t assume they misunderstood. Pause and ask, “What’s your perspective on this? How do you see it?” You’ll get a better understanding of where they’re coming from, and it shows you value their unique experience. It opens the door to a more productive conversation.

You can’t control the road, but you can control the steering wheel

Remember the days before GPS? Maybe you don’t. But I used to print out step-by-step directions from Google Maps for our annual trip from Toronto to Fredericton, New Brunswick. I had it all planned out, confident I knew the way. But in reality? Construction zones, detours, and road closures were never on that printed map. And there I was, one hand on the wheel, distracted, constantly flipping back to that sheet of paper.

Life, just like my old paper directions, never anticipates the unexpected. Leadership isn’t about sticking to a perfect, predetermined route; it’s about how you adjust when things inevitably go off course. Just like the rats in Tolman’s experiment, the ones with more than one path were better equipped to adapt. The same goes for us as leaders. Flexibility is key.

Application Tip:

When facing a challenge, ditch the rigid plan. Look for multiple paths forward. Ask your team, “How can we adapt with what we know now?” Encourage creative thinking and embrace new solutions.

Let’s stop guessing: create a map everyone can follow

Whether I was imagining flying as a kid or watching the flight map on the screen now, I see how important it is to have a shared understanding of where we’re headed. The map on the airplane isn’t the full reality, it’s a guide to help everyone stay on the same page.

Similarly, as a leader, it’s vital to communicate the big picture clearly. Just like the rats with a detailed map were able to navigate better, teams with a clear roadmap know where they’re going and how their individual roles fit in.

Application Tip:

Don’t assume your team knows what you know. Regularly check in and make sure everyone understands not just the tasks at hand but how those tasks contribute to the bigger vision. Share the roadmap, and align your efforts. This helps everyone move in the same direction, even when their personal maps might differ.

Closing thoughts: Your map is just and approximation

"If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there."

– Lewis Carroll

From childhood bike rides imagining I was a jet pilot to navigating real-life detours with my old paper maps, I’ve learned that the map isn’t the reality, it’s how we navigate. Just like the rats in Tolman’s experiment, we rely on the cognitive maps we’ve built to make decisions, but those maps are never perfect. The reality? It’s always a little different from the picture we’ve painted.

As leaders, we need to practice empathy, encourage adaptability, and make sure we’re all aligned on the bigger picture. The map may never fully capture the world, but by understanding and sharing our mental maps, we can guide our teams to a more successful path forward.

So, next time you’re navigating a tough situation or leading a team through uncharted waters, remember: your map is just an approximation. And that’s okay. What matters is how you guide your team, how you adapt to the changing terrain, and how you create a shared understanding of where you’re all headed.