The End of the Sunday Drive: Why Leaders Must Plan Their Growth

Why Is Drifting Dangerous for Your Leadership?

I was prompted this week to reflect on my own development. I realised the critical importance of setting clear goals instead of drifting along and hoping for the best.

When I was a young child, my family owned an old black Austin Wolseley. I vividly remember the leather seats. I used to sit in the back with my brother and sister. My mum and dad sat in the front. On occasional Sundays, we would be treated to a Sunday drive.

One particular time, we went to Redhill in Kent in southern England. We parked the old Wolseley at the top of a hill. We unloaded the picnic blanket and a basket of treats. I rolled down the hill with my siblings. I had to be carried back up exhausted. It was a beautiful sunny autumn day. Life was incredibly good.

Those Sundays were special. We never knew where we would end up. We simply enjoyed finding new places.

What Happens When You Stop Driving Your Own Life?

Those Sunday drives became less frequent as I grew older. By the time I was eleven, they had stopped entirely. I missed them. I wanted to spend the day drifting around and stumbling across beautiful corners of England. I wanted to be taken on a journey.

Today, I meet many professionals who live a Sunday drive kind of life. They drift along. They are carried by the current and the winds of circumstance. Sometimes they enjoy the ride. Most days, however, they complain about the place they have ended up.

They refuse to take responsibility for their own direction. They believe someone else should be charting their course.

How Do You Ensure Continuous Leadership Growth?

I am no botanist. However, my experience tells me that when a plant stops growing, it starts dying. You must water and feed your plants. You must tend the garden and remove weeds. If you fail to do this, your plants will wither.

The exact same principle applies to people. We must feed and water our own growth. We must take responsibility for clearing out the choking weeds in our lives. If we do not, we begin to die a little at a time.

My ability and character as a leader need continuous nourishment. I must mature. I must clear away pests and problems.

Why Do Leaders Fear Standing Out?

Many leaders fear growing too fast. They worry about becoming the tall poppy. They fear their peers will try to bring them down. They worry their bosses will remove them for being too visible.

Consequently, they keep their heads down. They do not bother growing. This is a fatal mistake.

How Do You Plan a Successful Leadership Journey?

Imagine planning a trip from Singapore to Bintan. You know Bintan is south of Singapore. You know ferries travel there. It would be absolute madness to just head to the coast and board the first boat heading south.

Instead, you would search online. You would find the correct ferry service. You would select a time and purchase a ticket. It requires precise planning.

Every journey must be broken down into manageable steps. These act as milestones. They ensure you are heading in the right direction. They confirm you are making timely progress. You must diagnose this using [The STEPS Protocol].

Any journey worth taking requires effort and preparation. Your journey to leadership success is identical. Each goal is a milestone. It indicates your progress. It provides direction to the next objective. If you stray off track, you can easily correct your course.

Where would you like your leadership ability and character to be a month from now?