Beware of Drifting: A Warning for Aspiring Leaders

Leadership is a journey, not a destination. Many leaders, after years of hard work, determination, and success, find themselves in a position of power and influence. However, with success comes the temptation to relax, to bend the rules, or to abandon the very principles that led them to their achievements. This phenomenon, often referred to as "leadership drift," can be detrimental not only to the leader but also to the organization and the people they lead. This sharing explores how leaders can drift away from the principles that brought them success, the consequences of such drift, and how they can avoid it by continuously embodying the values they wish to see in their followers.

Understanding Leadership Drift

Leadership drift occurs when leaders, after achieving a certain level of success, begin to deviate from the values, behaviours, and disciplines that initially contributed to their rise. This drift is subtle; it often happens gradually, as leaders become more comfortable, confident, and sometimes complacent in their roles. Over time, they may start to compromise on the very standards they once championed, leading to a disconnect between their words and actions.

The drift can manifest in several ways:

• Complacency: Leaders may start to take their success for granted, believing that they no longer need to work as hard or adhere to the same standards.
• Arrogance: Success can breed arrogance, leading leaders to believe they are above the rules or that they know better than others.
• Isolation: As leaders rise, they may become isolated from their teams, relying more on their own judgment and less on feedback from others.
• Hypocrisy: Leaders may begin to say one thing but do another, undermining their credibility and the trust of their followers.

The Consequences of Leadership Drift

The consequences of leadership drift can be severe, both for the leader and the organization. When leaders abandon the principles that led to their success, they risk losing the respect and trust of their followers. This can lead to a decline in morale, productivity, and ultimately, the success of the organization.

1. Loss of Credibility: When leaders fail to live by the principles they espouse, they lose credibility. Followers are less likely to trust and respect leaders who do not practice what they preach.
2. Decline in Organizational Culture: Leadership drift can erode the culture of an organization. When leaders no longer embody the values of the organization, it sends a message that those values are no longer important.
3. Decreased Engagement: Employees are more likely to disengage when they see leaders drifting. They may feel disillusioned, leading to lower morale and productivity.
4. Increased Turnover: When leaders drift, it can lead to higher turnover rates. Employees who are no longer inspired or motivated by their leaders may seek opportunities elsewhere.

Real-Life Examples of Leadership Drift

To understand the impact of leadership drift, it’s helpful to look at real-life examples, both positive and negative.

1. The Negative: John Sculley at Apple

John Sculley, a former CEO of Apple, is a classic example of leadership drift. Sculley was brought into Apple by Steve Jobs in 1983 and initially played a significant role in the company’s success. However, as time went on, Sculley began to drift. He moved away from the innovative, risk-taking culture that Jobs had established and instead focused on more traditional, corporate strategies. This shift led to internal conflicts, culminating in Jobs’ departure from the company in 1985.

Under Sculley’s leadership, Apple struggled. The company lost its innovative edge, and its products failed to resonate with consumers. By the time Sculley left Apple in 1993, the company was in dire straits, with its stock price plummeting and its future in doubt. Sculley’s drift away from the principles that had made Apple successful was a key factor in the company’s decline during that period.

2. The Positive: Howard Schultz at Starbucks

In contrast, Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, provides an example of a leader who resisted the temptation to drift. Schultz returned to Starbucks as CEO in 2008, during a time when the company was struggling. Despite the challenges, Schultz remained true to the principles that had initially driven Starbucks’ success: a focus on quality, customer experience, and ethical business practices.

Schultz made tough decisions, including closing underperforming stores and cutting costs, but he never compromised on the company’s core values. He reinvigorated the company’s culture and refocused on the customer experience, ultimately leading Starbucks back to profitability and growth. Schultz’s commitment to the principles that had made Starbucks successful in the first place helped the company navigate a difficult period and emerge stronger.

Insights and Principles for Aspiring Leaders

The experiences of leaders like John Sculley and Howard Schultz offer valuable lessons for aspiring leaders. To avoid the dangers of leadership drift, leaders must remain vigilant and committed to the principles that contribute to their success. Here are some key insights and principles to help leaders stay on course:

1. Stay Grounded in Core Values

One of the most important ways to avoid leadership drift is to stay grounded in core values. Leaders must continually remind themselves of the principles that guided them to success and ensure that these principles remain at the heart of their leadership approach. This requires a conscious effort to reflect on one’s values and to align decisions and actions with those values consistently.

For example, Howard Schultz’s commitment to ethical business practices and quality was a guiding force throughout his leadership at Starbucks. Even in challenging times, he stayed true to these values, which ultimately helped the company recover and thrive.

2. Seek Continuous Feedback

Leaders can easily drift when they become isolated from their teams or disconnected from the reality on the ground. To avoid this, it is essential for leaders to seek continuous feedback from a diverse range of sources, including employees, peers, mentors, and even customers. This feedback can help leaders stay aware of potential blind spots and ensure that they are not drifting away from the values and behaviours that contribute to their success.

A great example of this principle is Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft. Nadella has been praised for his emphasis on a growth mindset and his willingness to listen to feedback from all levels of the organization. This approach has helped him transform Microsoft’s culture and drive significant growth during his tenure.

3. Practice Humility

Humility is a crucial trait for leaders who want to avoid drifting. It involves recognizing that success is not solely the result of one’s own efforts, but also the contributions of others. Humility allows leaders to remain open to learning, to admit mistakes, and to continuously improve.

A lack of humility can lead to arrogance, which is a common cause of leadership drift. Leaders who believe they have all the answers are less likely to seek feedback, less likely to adapt, and more likely to make decisions that are out of touch with reality.

A positive example of humility in leadership is Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Despite being one of the most successful investors in history, Buffett is known for his humility and willingness to admit when he is wrong. This humility has been a key factor in his long-term success.

4. Lead by Example

Leaders must recognize that their actions set the tone for the entire organization. If they want their followers to embody certain values and behaviours, they must first embody those values and behaviours themselves. This concept, often referred to as “leading by example,” is crucial in preventing leadership drift.

For instance, if a leader emphasizes the importance of integrity, they must demonstrate integrity in their own actions. If they prioritize teamwork, they must actively participate in and encourage collaboration. When leaders consistently model the behaviours they wish to see in their followers, they reinforce the importance of those behaviours throughout the organization.

An example of leading by example can be seen in the leadership of Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand. Ardern’s compassionate and empathetic approach to leadership, particularly during crises like the Christchurch mosque shootings and the COVID-19 pandemic, set a powerful example for her country. Her actions demonstrated the values of kindness, inclusivity, and resilience, which resonated with and inspired the people of New Zealand.

5. Avoid Complacency

Complacency is a common pitfall for leaders who have achieved success. It can lead to a decline in performance, innovation, and engagement. To avoid complacency, leaders must maintain a mindset of continuous improvement, always striving to learn, grow, and adapt.

One way to combat complacency is to set new goals and challenges, both for oneself and for the organization. By continually pushing the boundaries and seeking new opportunities for growth, leaders can avoid the trap of resting on their laurels.

A leader who has successfully avoided complacency is Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. Throughout his tenure at Amazon, Bezos consistently pushed the company to innovate and explore new frontiers, from expanding into cloud computing with AWS to revolutionizing e-commerce with Amazon Prime. His relentless focus on customer obsession and innovation has helped Amazon become one of the most successful companies in the world.

6. Regularly Revisit the Mission and Vision

Leaders can drift when they lose sight of the organization’s mission and vision. It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day operations and short-term goals, but leaders must regularly revisit and reaffirm the long-term purpose of the organization. This helps ensure that their decisions and actions are aligned with the organization’s overarching goals.

For example, when Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, one of his first actions was to refocus the company on its core mission of innovation and creating cutting-edge products. By realigning the company with its original vision, Jobs was able to lead Apple to unprecedented success.

Conclusion: The Ongoing Journey of Leadership

Leadership is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing journey that requires continuous self-awareness, reflection, and commitment to core principles. The phenomenon of leadership drift serves as a reminder that success can breed complacency, arrogance, and isolation—factors that can lead even the most successful leaders astray.

To avoid drifting, leaders must stay grounded in their values, seek continuous feedback, practice humility, lead by example, avoid complacency, and regularly revisit their mission and vision. By doing so, they can ensure that they not only achieve success but also sustain it over the long term.

Real-life examples of leaders like John Sculley and Howard Schultz illustrate the consequences of leadership drift and the importance of staying true to one’s principles. Aspiring leaders can learn from these examples and develop the habits and mindset needed to navigate the challenges of leadership while remaining faithful to the values that drive lasting success.

Ultimately, the mark of a great leader is not just what they achieve, but how they achieve it—and whether they can continue to embody the principles that made their success possible. Leaders who resist the temptation to drift and instead commit to living out their values every day are the ones who will inspire their followers and leave a lasting impact on their organizations and the world.

Dr Victor Goh