Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller
When a leader loses their way.
It’s one of the saddest things to witness,
A leader losing her way.
Leaving her moral compass and taking her eye off the ball.
I’m using the feminine pronoun today as a reminder that off-center leadership isn’t gender-related.
Losing your way creates a train wreck that compromises the leader, normally leading to a loss of position and prestige.
The saddest part is the shrapnel. A leader’s lapse and collapse doesn’t just affect her, it affects everyone around her.
Family, marriages, children, friendships, organizations, and companies.
A leader losing their way is painful to watch and a tragedy for all. Its implications can last for generations.
It can happen to anyone.
At any time.
Regretfully, at any age.
It can happen to the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
It can happen within a family.
In fact, a leader losing her way within her family is as dev
Losing your way is often a slow process.
You get there slowly, but when you arrive, the result is as earth-shattering as a sudden collapse.
At this season of my life I’m still seeking to stay on the path.
I want to finish strong.
I don’t want to lose my way in this exciting last quarter of my life.
Here are some notes to self:
Blowouts occur due to a lack of counsel. A leader must invite people around her to give input, feedback, and even criticism—someone who’ll speak truth to power.
A person who’ll tell you what you don’t want to hear, then give you a hug.
A wise leader must daily battle an inflated ego, stubborn pride, and a sense of entitlement. These are all signs of losing one’s way, so avoid them like the plague.
The antidote for all of the above is simple: humility and gratitude.
A leader must have the self-discipline to step away from the fray and take the 30,000-foot view. Retreat so you can move forward. Review the priorities you have for your life and your organization.
A leader cannot afford to neglect their inner spirituality. An effective leader must have a spiritual soul. For me, this involves my personal faith as a Christian.
Many parts of my faith, such as scripture, prayer, small group study, and corporate worship, have helped me keep my feet on the path.
I encourage you to be part of a small accountability group. I am involved in two men’s groups as well as a one-on-one friendship where we meet weekly. These guys know me, and I can’t fool them,
They’ve also served as tremendous encouragement through the rough parts of my journey.
My wish and prayer is that you’ll stay on the path and keep looking forward.
Finishing strong and leaving something better than you left it is very fulfilling for any of us, especially a leader.
I wish the very best for you.
Still learning,
Curt Iles
