Distracted Leadership: Why Driving on Autopilot Will Crash Your Team
"You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks." — Winston Churchill
Distracted Driving: A Leadership Wake-Up Call
I remember when I was in university in London, Ontario.
Most weekends, I would drive home to the suburbs of Toronto. The drive passed through long stretches of open fields before easing into the suburban sprawl where I grew up.
I can still recall moments on that drive when I would suddenly "snap out of it," realizing I had no memory of the last 20 minutes. I was driving, but not really paying attention. When you spend enough time behind the wheel, it's easy to slip into autopilot.
Fast forward a few years, and along came a new problem: the Blackberry smartphone.
Suddenly, I could multitask behind the wheel — answering emails, checking messages — and I’ll admit, I was an early adopter of this dangerous habit.
At the time, people weren’t yet talking much about the risks. It felt powerful. Efficient. Fortunately, I never had an incident because of it, but looking back, it’s pretty nonsensical to think I ever believed that was a smart move.
Driving — and distracted driving — is a powerful metaphor for leadership.
Leadership, like driving, requires constant attention:
You have a destination in mind.
You are responsible for a complex machine (your team or organization).
You need to steer, accelerate, brake, refuel, and stay alert.
You must stay focused on the road ahead while being aware of what's happening beside and behind you.
It’s incredibly easy to get distracted as a leader: By shiny opportunities, loud critics, unexpected obstacles, or even your own habits. And when you drift off course without realizing it, the consequences can be serious — for you, and for everyone in the car with you.
Leadership Principles from the Driver's Seat:
Keep Your Eyes on the Road Ahead:
Never lose sight of your ultimate destination. Distraction leads to drift.
Stay Aware of Your Surroundings:
Competitors, market changes, internal team dynamics — all of them matter. Situational awareness is non-negotiable.
Know When to Accelerate, Brake, or Adjust:
Not every moment calls for full speed. Know when to push, when to slow down, and when to pause. Speed limits exist for a reason.
Have a Clear Route in Mind, but Be Ready for Detours:
Plans change. Obstacles appear. Flexibility keeps you moving forward even when the original path gets blocked.
Fuel the Journey:
You can’t run on empty. Neither can your team. Energy, motivation, and clarity must be continuously replenished.
Drive well:
"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there." — Lewis Carroll
As leaders, our role is not just to drive, it’s to drive well.
Stay alert. Stay focused. Keep moving forward with purpose and care. Because whether you're aware of it or not, there are always passengers in your car, trusting you to get them to the right destination safely.
