Watch Out for Drift: 5 Areas Every Leader Needs to Guard
Mar 26, 2025
Have you ever been swimming at the beach, glanced back at the shore, and realized you’ve drifted far away from your spot? You didn’t feel it happening—you just looked up one moment and were nowhere near where you started. Leadership can be exactly like that. If we’re not intentional, we can end up off-course, drained, or even lost, simply because we allowed a gentle current to pull us away from our original path.
In my coaching conversations and in my own leadership journey—especially pastoring at Westside Community Church—I’ve noticed five areas where drift can sneak in. Once we’re aware, we can start nudging ourselves and our teams back on track before the current takes us too far.
1. Mission Drift
Your mission is the “why” behind everything you do. Whether you pastor a church, lead a small group, or manage a team, it’s amazing how quickly distractions can pile up like barnacles on a boat. Good, worthwhile opportunities come along—and saying “yes” to them doesn’t seem like a big deal in the moment. But give it time, and you’ll be weighed down by commitments that quietly steal your attention away from the main thing.
Course Correction: Make a regular habit of asking, “Does this opportunity help us fulfill our core purpose?” If not, graciously say no and stay focused on what you’re truly called to accomplish.
2. Vision Drift
A compelling vision should be big enough—and far enough out—that it keeps your eyes fixed on a future worth pursuing. New ideas can dazzle us (trust me, I’m as guilty of “shiny object syndrome” as anyone), but if every other week your organization shifts its long-term focus, you’ll wear people out and lose momentum.
Course Correction: Nail down that North Star. Ask yourself: “Where do I see us in ten years, and is that compelling enough to keep our attention?” Plans can change along the way, but let your vision stand strong so the rest of your team knows exactly where you’re going.
3. Values Drift
Values form the heartbeat of your culture. They shape how you treat people, how you make decisions, and what you celebrate. But when new people come on board, or when you face rapid growth or sudden shifts, values can easily get fuzzy or lost.
Course Correction: Don’t just assume everyone knows the “way we do things.” Talk about your values openly, and share the stories and reasons behind them. When something comes up that either affirms or contradicts your values, treat it as a teachable moment. Reinforce the culture you want every step of the way.
4. Culture Drift
Picture the feel of your organization or team. Is it hopeful, forward-thinking, and encouraging? Or has negativity or complexity started to creep in, making everything feel heavier? Culture drift can make once-simple processes complicated and cause once-joyful teams to lose steam.
Course Correction: Name what you want. Maybe you’re shooting for a culture that’s “decidedly encouraging.” If so, call it out, celebrate it, and redirect whenever you see negativity undercutting that goal. Culture doesn’t stay on track by accident—leaders have to guard it relentlessly.
5. Performance Drift
Finally, we can lose ground on performance. It’s easy to relax a standard here, overlook a missed deadline there, or excuse that unprepared meeting because everyone’s “so busy.” But let that slip for too long, and you’ll end up with a new, lower baseline that’s challenging to raise again.
Course Correction: Don’t let small lapses stack up. Have quick, honest conversations when something (or someone) misses the mark. Clarify the expectation, offer support and accountability, and set that bar back where it belongs.
Why Small Corrections Matter
The great news is that dealing with a small drift now is far easier (and less painful) than trying to remedy a massive one later. When you see something off, lean in and take action sooner rather than later. You’ll keep your team healthy, motivated, and locked in on the bigger mission God’s called you to.
Let’s Stay Anchored
I’m cheering you on this week, whether you’re a lead pastor, a ministry volunteer, a team leader at work, or a parent trying to keep your household afloat. If you need a sounding board, a little coaching, or just an encouraging word, feel free to reach out. Let’s stay anchored to what really matters in the middle of life’s inevitable currents.
Keep leading strong and remember—small adjustments can make a huge difference over time.
Cheering for you,
Gabe
P.S. If you got this blog post via email, you can simply reply to connect. Otherwise, find me at gabekolstad.com—I’d love to hear what you’re learning and how you’re leading.
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