Article 17: Six (6) Ways Leaders Lose At Summit Leadership

We have finally arrived at the final Phase Of Leadership (POL), Summit Leadership. Achieving success in any POL is no small accomplishment. Most people never reach this leadership level, but a leader must be devoted to growth to advance Summit Leadership. As a note, I understand that I am nowhere near summit leadership. Still, I take purposeful action each day to continue building my leadership bridge and will one day achieve it.

Summit leadership is challenging because it takes consistent effort, accountability, and extreme discipline throughout a leader's life. Leaders who succeed at the summit have created organizations that change their industry and the world. One example of a leader who has achieved summit leadership is Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and several other prominent companies. Musk's visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of ambitious goals have resulted in groundbreaking advancements in electric vehicles, renewable energy, space exploration, and transportation. Your legacy is galvanized by the consistent action of leaders you have developed and the compounding effect of decisions over time. Below are six ways leaders can lose at Summit Leadership.

It's ironic, but one of the greatest dangers for pinnacle leaders at the top is similar to a downside for positional leadership at the bottom: thinking they've arrived.

-John C. Maxwell

Lose Curiosity

Leadership is an endless expedition, and the moment we believe we've reached the pinnacle of knowledge, growth grinds to a halt. When leaders convince themselves they have mastered their craft, it is precisely the moment they should consider stepping aside. We must grasp that there are always valuable lessons and wisdom waiting to be acquired and shared. The danger arises when we close ourselves off to new ideas by presuming to possess all the answers. Remember, such a transformation does not go unnoticed by your team and organization.

A vital truth has illuminated my path in my fifteen years of leadership: profound lessons often emerge from the unlikeliest sources. Irrespective of rank or authority, we must acknowledge that we are not always the brightest mind in the room. While we may have triumphed over personal trials, others harbor powerful perspectives on the challenges of today. Sustained growth as a leader necessitates attentive listening to every individual within our organization, for our challenges will only intensify. As tasks grow in complexity, they demand innovative, nimble thinking—not stagnant minds. Guard against the transitional trap of presuming you hold all the solutions. Purposeful Accountable Leaders (PALs) maintain an unwavering curiosity and relentlessly seek creative resolutions to the intricate problems of the present and future.

Joshua K. McMillion

By embracing unwavering curiosity, Purposeful Accountable Leaders (PALs) carve a path that sets them apart from the pack, unlocking new horizons of growth and innovation.

Believe The Hype

Once leaders listen to the crowd and believe the hype, they are destined for failure. The ego is a powerful force; assuming you are the center of attention causes entitlement. When you've given in to the noise, you lose sight of the path and begin to develop transitional habits. In the book "How the mighty fall," Jim Collins stated most leaders fail because they have developed an entitled mindset bolstered by arrogance. Success is never guaranteed; failure results if you believe you will continue to win without putting your nose to the grindstone. Individuals that want to be around you when times are great are often scarce when times are hard. As you progress on your leadership journey, maintain relationships with individuals that share your core values, purpose, and passion. Stop and remember that you have not arrived when the noise becomes noticeable. Success is not guaranteed. You cannot overcome other challenges if you lose your burning desire to grow. PALs block out the noise, surround themselves with the individuals they trust, and improve daily.

Bonus

Here are my top five toxic habits leaders fall into when the spotlight becomes too bright!

1. Neglecting Core Values: Leaders may gradually deviate from their core values as they become more influenced by external opinions and popular trends. They may compromise their principles to please the crowd, leading to a misalignment between their actions and authentic values.

2. Seeking Short-Term Validation: A transitional habit that can emerge is the pursuit of instant gratification and validation. Leaders may prioritize short-term wins and accolades, seeking immediate approval from the crowd rather than focusing on long-term sustainable success and impactful outcomes.

3. Losing Focus on Vision: When leaders become consumed by the crowd's noise, their vision clarity can diminish. They may start to veer off course and lose sight of their original purpose and the strategic direction they initially set for themselves and their organization.

4. Overpromising and Underdelivering: Entranced by the hype, leaders may fall into the trap of making grand promises to appease the crowd without adequately considering the feasibility or long-term implications. This habit can lead to a lack of follow-through, eroding trust and credibility over time.

5. Disregarding Diverse Perspectives: Leaders may dismiss or disregard alternative viewpoints that challenge the prevailing narrative by excessively valuing the crowd's opinions. This transitional habit can limit innovation and stifle creativity, preventing leaders from making well-rounded and informed decisions.

Complacency Trap

Success breeds complacency, and a PAL has no place for that. In the military, two moments in any operation are the most dangerous. The first is at the beginning when the environment is unknown, and you're adapting to the stimuli around you. You face new challenges and learn how to overcome those. I'd like to call this being switched on or in the zone. The second most dangerous time is the end of an operation when complacency kills. When you can see the finish line, it's easy to take your foot off the gas, opening up vulnerabilities. Creating vulnerabilities allows smoke to form into fires; if unchecked, those fires can rage out of control. The same is true in any leadership position. The moment you become complacent is the moment you will lose. Remember, leadership is a journey, not a destination; you must not lose sight of where you're going. Maybe that means your vision is too small, and you must create a big, bold vision (BBV). A BBV that is so ambitious it scares you and helps you avoid complacency.

Another critical aspect of complacency is losing your ability to be humble. Humility is vital regardless of the phase you find yourself in as a leader. Humility is what binds relationships and allows leaders to connect authentically. Believing results will naturally happen, and not being grateful for others' hard work is the fastest way to erode relationships. PALs are thankful for everyone on the team and remove complacency from the equation.

Joshua K. McMillion

"Complacency is a treacherous snare that, over time, constricts our potential, suffocating the flames of growth and hindering the realization of our true capabilities."

Fear of Losing

Leaders achieving the 6th POL have much on the line and could cause self-sabotaging behavior. If you fear losing what you have earned, you are unwilling to take calculated risks and, as a result, kill momentum. Failure to be decisive and take risks toward bold action will cause you to lose more in the process. The first is relationships. By becoming indecisive, you are eroding the trust you have earned, resulting in a loss of respect. Once an organization stops respecting the leader, they stop listening. Remember, people do not follow titles; they follow people. The second is identity. If you believe you have more to lose than gain, you have become a toxic leader. Toxic leaders hold on to power; they create organizational walls and halt traction because of inefficiencies and bottlenecks. Third, losing sight of oneself also leads to rewriting one's legacy. It's crucial to remember the power of T-BAL: Our thoughts shape our beliefs, which drive our actions, ultimately defining the legacy we leave behind. Purposeful Accountable Leaders (PALs) are transformational thinkers, unwavering in their commitment, regardless of the stakes.

Bonus

 Here are my top three beliefs about why leaders at Summit Leadership fear losing.

1. Loss of Status and Perceived Prestige: When leaders achieve a certain level of success, they often develop a fear of losing because they have grown accustomed to the recognition, status, and prestige that come with their accomplishments. The thought of losing this elevated position and the associated privileges can trigger a sense of insecurity and anxiety.

2. Risk Aversion and Comfort Zone: Success can breed a sense of comfort and complacency. Leaders may hesitate to take risks or venture into new territories because they fear jeopardizing what they have already gained. The fear of losing what they have worked hard to achieve can lead to a reluctance to step outside their comfort zone and explore new growth opportunities. Remember the complacency trap!

3. Loss of Identity and Reputation: A leader's identity and reputation often intertwine with success. They may fear that losing their success will result in a tarnished reputation or diminished self-worth. The fear of losing what they have accomplished can lead to a reluctance to take bold actions or make necessary changes, as they perceive these risks as potential threats to their identity and reputation.

Stop Investing In Others

In your leadership journey, one truth remains constant: relationships matter. To cultivate authenticity, consistent investment of time with others is essential. One-off interactions are insufficient; you need ongoing touchpoints with your team. As you ascend in leadership, investing in others becomes increasingly vital. As responsibilities grow and time becomes scarce, don't forget that your success stems from collective efforts, not just your own.

Amidst the whirlwind of expanding responsibilities, it's easy to lose focus. However, this is precisely when creating touchpoints becomes crucial. Allocate time for team development, whether walking and conversing with individuals in your organization, holding purposeful meetings for feedback, or engaging in one-on-one mentorship sessions. How you authentically spend time with others is your choice. Remember, the organization emulates the leader's behavior, and the shared values that led to your success are even more critical at the top. Everyone is observing you, so it's a fact that Purposeful Accountable Leaders (PALs) never cease investing in others, regardless of their position.

Joshua K. McMillion

Just as a neglected and uninvested fruit tree withers and dies, leadership devoid of care and investment fails to bear the fruits of growth, development, and success.

Focusing On Tactical Decisions

Once you've achieved Summit Leadership, your time should focus exclusively on strategic-level thinking. Focus on where the company is heading and its impact on the outside world. If you have led effectively, you have built leaders within your organization that operate with operational leadership intelligence. Meaning they deliberately plan and ensure their team executes. If you spend time on tactical decisions that should be made at the individual level, you are losing sight of what is important. Occasionally there will come a problem that your team cannot overcome. Those moments are when you apply the sledgehammer mentality.

You break down that wall and challenge your team to build a system, preventing the challenge from returning. But those occasions are rare, and you should do everything possible to avoid enabling your team. Allow them to have the opportunity to work through those problems, and only when it is in movable do you smash. Side effects of tactical decision-making can be catastrophic to the organization. You hamper mission command, lose accountability within your team, and gain a reputation for micromanagement. Even at summit leadership, it is possible to ruin the reputation you have worked years to create. Do not let the pressures of your job cause you to question your team's ability. You have made it to this point in your career by being transformational, not transactional.

Final Thoughts

Summit Leadership is a rare achievement in the leadership journey. While I haven't reached this level yet, I'm dedicated to pursuing it relentlessly. If you're already at the summit, be aware of these six pitfalls that can lead to failure. Don't let the noise around you distract you or inflate your ego. Stay focused on your purpose and maintain a clear vision to avoid succumbing to fear or complacency. Keep investing your time and knowledge in others because that's what shapes your legacy. Above all, remain a lifelong learner. Summit leaders are committed, open to coaching, and fueled by curiosity. Remember, growth stops when learning stops.

After Action Review

1. Am I maintaining a sense of curiosity and openness to continue growth as a leader? Or have I fallen into the trap of thinking I've already mastered everything?

2. Am I investing enough time and effort in building and nurturing relationships with my team? Do I recognize the collective efforts that contribute to my success?

3. Am I effectively balancing my focus between strategic thinking and tactical decision-making? Am I empowering my team to handle operational decisions and only intervening when absolutely necessary?

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My Mission: I will end toxic leadership practices by equipping leaders with transformational leadership skills. 

Together, we will impact 1 MILLION lives!!!

Every day is a gift, don't waste yours!

Joshua K. McMillion | Founder MLC | Founder MLC

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