Leader-drift

Leader-drift: - the subtle movement away from your core vision, values, and virtues.

Leader-drift happens when we spend more time fixated on the problem and less time on the solution.?The fixation and focus on a problem area rarely create the innovation and change we hope for. The Leader-drift is like a magnetic pull away from the very thing we say is our true desire or destination.?One day you wake up and find yourself asking – ‘How did I get here?’

Questions – Have you ever been lost??Have you ever gotten off track??Have you ever gotten to a place where the frustration you have toward and with others is greater than your hope for a future of fulfillment?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions you’ve experienced the Leader-drift.

The Leader-drift is happening more now in large part because of these key areas… take a look:

• Fatigue. One of the major indicators that you may be drifting is your attitude toward your better efforts and practices has lessened. Fatigue is our current enemy of focus.
• Focus. An indication that you may be drifting is a lack of focus.?It’s that space where your attentiveness is gone, your concern is dull, and interest is passive at best.
• Empowered Buy-in. Creating buy-in isn't easy.?Buy-in happens one relationship at a time. And rarely happens when you tell others what to do - but often HAPPENS when we ask others what should be done.
• We become hopeless.?Bit by bit, day after day, drift takes place when we lose hope. Our self-talk sounds more like this, “why bother,” “who cares,” and “does it even matter?
• This slow drift can often be seen in our reluctance to be around people. Whether you are the introvert who needs people in doses or the extrovert who thrives on interaction, withdrawal is a strong indication of the drift. Being around others often demands we connect and communicate, and when we’re drifting, we generally don’t want to be reeled in.

Okay, so what do we do with the drift?

First, don’t beat yourself up.?Everybody drifts.?What we need to agree on is that it can be subtle and devastating if we don’t catch it and do something about it.?Once we realize our leader-drift, it’s time to anchor down. Don’t keep going like you can fight the wind of this storm.?Drop anchor (pause) and do the following:

• Reflect on what has changed.?Are there any patterns of personal behavior that you know are not a part of what established you that seem to be lost??Are there any changes that should be made??Write them down.
• Release the blame of who caused this and any condemnation associated with it.?Condemnation can destroy who we are as people.?If that voice becomes larger than the voice of conviction that leads us out of troubled waters – we will drown under its oppression.
• Respond to that conviction with a course correction.?Vision has the ability to clear our path forward.?Where do you want to go??What will it take to get there??What are you willing to do to arrive at that destination?
• Recover your course.?In nautical terms – recovery – is the process of getting back on track.?Tacking incrementally back to the true north compass and direction that represents the desired destination.?Remember, you didn’t get here overnight, and you won’t recover with one singular decision.?It will be the reinforced decisions daily that allow for the shift to solve the drift.

One final and incredibly important thing to do before you cast off for your next Leader-shift: Find a first mate.?In TL we call these Bumper Buddies.?These are friends you choose to trust and share your life with.?You are willing to share your highs and lows, your failures, and your triumphs – and they’ve been given permission to speak into your life when they see you drifting.

1.?????The number one reason leader-drift takes place is isolation and loneliness.?The subtle lie that it’s up to you and you alone is an old school, unhealthy and unproductive leader-drift thought pattern.?

2.?????The number two reason leader-drift takes place is the fear of failure.?Most of us hate failure and we really hate failing in front of others.?The fear that others may find out or know my weaknesses is a form of pride.?Pride should be a form of courage not a destruction.

Make it a great day and remember... movement toward a goal always feels better together and when the wind is in your sails and the destination known - great things happen.

Lead well and prosper!

Paddy

Patrick McBane ?is a Lead Trainer - Director of Global Initiatives for FSH Strategy Consultants and Transformational Leadership. Founder of?Marketplace Solutions and Owner - Life Needs Leadership, LLC.

Transformational Leadership ?helps you identify, address?and remove personal, team and process?constraints. Removing these constraints allows?transformation to occur and encourages healthy, trusting relationships to grow.