Smart leaders stay in their lane, avoid crashes, move forward

 

Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. – Jack Canfield

 

I came across an interesting story not long ago about Roger Bannister. He was the first man in the world to run a mile in under 4 minutes. That was in May 1954. The next month, Australian John Landy broke that record by 1.4 seconds.

 

In August 1954, the two fastest runners in the world met for a historic race at the British Empire Games in Vancouver, Canada. The race was dubbed “The Miracle Mile,”  the “Race of the Century” and the “Dream Race.”

 

As Bannister and Landy turned for the last lap, Landy was ahead and looked certain to win, but as he neared the finish line he lost focus and allowed his mind to wonder about Bannister’s position. Unable to stand the strain, he finally looked back over his shoulder, and as he did his stride faltered and Bannister passed him to break the tape and win the race.

 

How that race ended is an example of what happens when we lose our focus. As leaders, it’s not how you start the race that matters but it’s how you finish. 

 

How you navigate the ins and outs of your leadership is important. In many respects, it’s about learning how to stay in your lane. Why is this important? Why should we be mindful of staying in our own lane? Here are a few tips that I think will help.

 

Staying in your lane keeps you focused

 

Staying in your lane keeps you focused on your priorities and responsibilities. As a leader, you have certain duties and things that fall under your purview that require your attention. 

 

But not everyone’s business is your business. Understanding what needs your expertise and work and what needs your opinion is something you need to learn as a leader. 

 

When you drift out of your lane, you tend to be in places where you don't belong and end up meddling in ways that are unhealthy. It can lead to resentment and can cause more damage than good and when the crash happens it will be your fault. Stay in your lane!

 

Staying in your lane protects boundaries

 

Staying in your lane protects boundaries that must be respected. Just because you have an opinion on what’s happening two lanes over from you doesn’t mean that you need to swerve over and weigh in on it – unless you’re asked. 

 

Nothing will break down morale and hurt the culture in your organization faster than when someone gets out of their lane to barge in on someone else. 

 

And consider this: When you leave your lane of responsibility, what’s not getting done in yours that should be?  

 

Staying in your lane accelerates progress

 

The logical outflow of staying in your lane means everyone is moving forward at optimum speed. 

 

When you stay in your lane, focused on being your best where you are, doing what you do, means everyone else has the time, space, and energy to do the same. 

 

When you resist the temptation to change lanes or drift across drawn lines, it gives you and those around you the opportunity to move forward faster.

 

The best advice I can give to you as a leader is simply this: stay in your lane!

 

Final Thoughts

 

Staying in your lane can be hard. It’s too easy to get distracted and to lose focus. It doesn’t mean you walk around with blinders on and are oblivious to what’s going on around you. 

 

There may be times when a lane change is necessary to help in the moment, but then you get back in yours. 

 

There has to be a degree of flexibility here, but by and large, when you stay in your lane, crashes are avoided and everyone is moving forward together.

 

 ©2022 Doug Dickerson. Visit dougdickerson.net/ to read more.