Making Lemons Out of Lemonades: Embracing Progressive Discipline as a Path to Leadership.

Receiving a progressive disciplinary action—whether it’s a written reprimand or a performance improvement plan—can feel like a sour moment. But what if we flipped the narrative? These moments aren’t punishments; they’re powerful pivots. They signal that your organization sees potential worth correcting, not discarding. When handled with transparency and support, corrective action becomes a personalized roadmap for growth. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and realign with your professional goals.

Instead of shrinking from the spotlight, lean into it. Embrace the feedback, ask questions, and take ownership of the opportunity to improve. Many employees who’ve faced discipline go on to become some of the most effective leaders—because they’ve learned resilience, accountability, and humility firsthand. True leadership isn’t forged in perfection; it’s shaped in the moments we stumble and choose to rise. Think of the greats—Howard Schultz, Oprah Winfrey, even Abraham Lincoln—all faced setbacks and criticism before stepping into their full potential.

So the next time you receive a corrective memo or a performance plan, smile and say, “Thank you for the lemons.” Because with the right mindset, those lemons become the zest in your leadership journey. You’re not being written off—you’re being written into a new chapter. And that chapter might just be the one where you soar.