What’s Your Next Note?

What Will Your Next Note Be?

I recently came across a quote from legendary musician Miles Davis that really struck me:

“It’s not the note you play that’s the wrong note - it’s the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong.”

This isn’t just about music. It applies to operational improvement, company leadership, and supply chain management.

The First "Wrong" Note

In organizational change, the first "wrong note" isn't a mistake, it's often the status quo. It's the moment you realize that the old habits, processes, or ways of thinking are no longer working. No matter how much you’ve planned, setbacks happen.

There are inefficiencies, leadership missteps, change management miscommunications, or supply chain disruptions. There’s a team stuck in outdated routines, there’s functions resistant to a new approach, or a company culture that values stability over progress. These are all "wrong notes" that can stifle growth.

The mistake doesn’t define your organization. It doesn’t define you as a leader. Your next move does.

The easy response is to ignore them, to keep playing the same tune because it's familiar. But the long-term cost of that choice is far greater than any short-term comfort.

Composing a New Melody

An organization committed to growth understands that these moments of discomfort are opportunities to compose a new melody. When you identify an outdated process, the next move isn't to justify it, but to implement a new way of working. When a team resists change, the next move isn't to force it, but to provide the training, support, and clarity needed to adopt new habits. Playing the right note afterward means a deliberate pivot towards improvement. It means treating every challenge not as a point of failure, but as a cue to begin a new, more harmonious progression.

Leadership as the Conductor

This is where leadership is most critical. A leader's job isn't to prevent all resistance to change; that’s a natural part of the process. Their role is to be the conductor, guiding the team to play the right note after the old one has faded. They must set the rhythm for a culture of continuous improvement, where new ideas are welcomed, habits are openly discussed, and discomfort is a recognized step toward progress. Leaders ensure that the “wrong note” of the past becomes the foundation for a more innovative and effective future.

I often wonder how many companies have stalled, fearing one wrong step, sticking to outdated processes, avoiding bold leadership, or resisting supply chain innovation. Perfection can stifle progress. Adaptability is the key.

Charles Darwin said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one most adaptable to change.”

It’s not about avoiding errors in operations or supply chains. It’s about adapting when they occur. It’s about resilience, grit, and transformation.

In the chaos of a stalled process or disrupted flow, this reminds us: You’re always one well-executed decision, whether in leadership, operations, or supply chain, away from improvement.

So, no matter the setback, no matter how challenging it feels, don’t let it define you or your team…

What will your next note be?