Don’t Go Off the Rails
Talent and drive become liabilities when you’re off the rails.
#1. Success-Induced Complacency
Success makes you underestimate your need for growth.
I ask audiences to raise their hands if they’re smarter than the person sitting beside them. We laugh, but overestimating yourself derails growth.
#2. Living by Urgencies Rather than Priorities
Urgencies make you feel important. But they are derailers.
Effective leadership requires priorities.
Three things obscure priorities:
- Pressure.
- Problems.
- Opportunity.
The most dangerous urgency is opportunity.
Priorities enable “no.”
#3. Pouring into Others but Not Yourself
You run out of steam when you pour out but don’t pour in.
Warning phrases include:
- “I’ll take time off after…”
- “Just this time.”
- “I just need to finish this before…”
“Next time” gives failure permission to continue.
Stay on the Rails
- Frequently reflect on yourself and your journey.
- Turn values into behaviors.
- Connect with mentors and coaches. Avoid those who pressure you to be like them.
- Define yourself by your values, not external expectations.
A note: Being yourself is never an excuse for laziness, indulgence, or flaunting weaknesses.
One lesson brings leaders back to center. Jim Parker, former CEO of Southwest Airlines, told me fifteen years ago, “Be yourself.” (Jim was CEO during 9/11.)
It’s not about being indulgent or arrogant. It’s about becoming your best self every day.
Which of these three derailers is most dangerous?
What have you learned about going off the rails?
Off the Rails From: Ideas for Leaders
“The most dangerous urgency is opportunity.”
As a new manager of a new team in a newly-split off department, I am guilty of this. I risk becoming so focused on chances to grow that I neglect our core work – the reason we were split off in the first place.
I don’t blame you Chris. When you lead a new department you want to make your mark. The challenge is protecting gains and seizing or creating new opportunities.
Sounds like you want to be sure to focus on the core work. Cheers
I feel a little bit like the image for today’s post, Dan. I’m a people pleaser, so I have spent a lot of time addressing other people’s urgencies rather than my priorities. It’s burned me out. It’s hard when you end up getting rewarded for that behavior as well. I just got promoted. Now I’m looking at how I want to manage my team and my responsibilities and feeling a bit numb. I like the advice of returning to my values and reflecting on my journey. I think there will be a lot of that in the future months.
As always thank you for your advice and guidance through this blog. It always hits home at the right time!
Congratulations on earning a promotion. Perhaps this is a great opportunity to adapt your approach. It is a challenge that involves learning how to say no. I just had a conversation with a client about this. Sometimes if you have a few “no” sentences already prepared it’s easier. And of course, it’s easier to say no when it’s in service to something of greater value. Thanks for being a regular here, SB.
I’ve learned that I could fill an ocean with the phrase, “I’ll take time off after…” and “I just need to finish this before…”
Thank you for the convicting reminder.
I feel you, Ken. Sometimes we’re slow learners. I respect your contribution. Cheers.
I used to work for someone who said that if you are the smartest person in the room, you need to find a different room. You aren’t doing either yourself or that room any favors by staying.
Thanks, Jennifer. “Find a different room.” 🙂