I want to share a picture with you.

Sometimes in leadership, you set your compass toward “north.” Toward impact. Toward better outcomes. Toward healthier communities. But what no one tells you is that sometimes… to get north, you first have to travel south.

South can feel uncomfortable. It can look like budget cuts, staff turnover, pushback from stakeholders, slow metrics, or hard conversations you didn’t plan for. It can feel like you’re going the wrong direction. But what if that stretch south isn’t failure? What if it’s formation?

In healthcare, especially, growth is rarely a straight line. Sometimes you have to go south to build infrastructure. South to repair trust. South to strengthen culture. South to learn what the data is really telling you. That temporary detour is often preparing you for sustainable progress north.

And here’s the other piece.
When you’re headed north, you pack a coat.

Now along the journey, especially while you’re traveling south, you may not need that coat. It might even feel unnecessary. Heavy. Extra. But wise leaders prepare for the destination, not just the current temperature.

Preparation doesn’t always match the moment. You build leadership capacity before you desperately need it. You invest in workforce wellbeing before burnout spikes. You strengthen systems before the next crisis hits. You secure partnerships before funding gets tight.
You carry the coat because you know where you’re going.

So if you’re in a “south” season right now, don’t lose heart. Stay clear on your north. Stay anchored in your mission. Use this stretch to sharpen strategy, deepen resilience, and build what will sustain you when the climate changes.

The journey may bend.
The temperature may shift.
But leaders who understand direction (and prepare for destination) arrive ready.
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Keep traveling. Keep preparing. North is still ahead.