What Being Lost In The Woods Taught Me About Being A Leader

I had five minutes to meet everyone at the beach with no clue how to get back.  I had told people if I did not return after an hour to start considering looking for me.  

Courtesy of Wonderlane/Creative Commons License

It was my first time in Acadia National Park.  I had been taken in by the scene a little too long.  With no idea what path to take I finally found blue markers.  I focused on the path and made my way back to family.  In the end I was only five minutes late.

As leaders we are going to find ourselves out of our elements sometimes.  My situation was not life and death; however, it did give me time to reflect on 3 leadership principles.  Basically as a leader:

YOU ARE GOING TO BE TEMPTED TO STRAY

I started out on the right path.  All I had to do was follow the blue markers and I would have been fine.  What got me initially off course were a series of rock sprawls.  Feeling daring, I started to climb, not realizing it was taking me far off path.

As a leader you are going to be tempted to stray off path.  It could be the attention you receive, or misaligned priorities.  To stay on course list out your priorities and stay focused on the vision.

YOU NEED TO TELL OTHERS WHERE YOU ARE GOING

It’s easy to get tunnel vision as a leader.  You might become so obsessed with a project that you lose sight of the overall picture.  Be open about where you are going as a leader.  Invite people to give insight and input.

When they are concerned that you are not focused they then have a platform to hold you accountable.  On top of that surround yourself with people you trust.  

People who will come for you when you are lost.  

People who will pick you up when you are down.  

And people who will help you stay on the path.  

A good leader is surrounded by a trustworthy and reliable team.  

BE PREPARED FOR MOMENTS LIKE THESE

While I did not plan on getting lost, I was prepared.  I had enough water, and my phone.  I knew I would be okay.  

There will be moments as a leader when you find yourself lost.  You might be time tested and or pushed to your limits.  Prepare yourself for these moments by

Building margin into your schedule.  

Equip yourself with the right resources.

Again, surround yourself with people who will keep you focused.  

At times it might feel unnecessary but in the end it will be worth it.

We’re all going to get lost at one time or another.  The feelings will be overwhelming and can cause us to act poorly.  Be aware that this can happen and then be prepared.  If you keep your head and take the right precautions you’ll find yourself back on the right path.