Every manager and leader is on a unique leadership journey—navigating the chaos of human nature, traffic jams, and the occasional wrong turn. Just as important is understanding that each team member is on their own path, too. This blog explores how leaders can create effective employee development strategies by recognizing different types of travelers, setting clear expectations for the journey, and rerouting when necessary.
Leadership isn’t about checking boxes or barking orders from the front seat. It’s about navigating the chaos of human nature, traffic jams, and the occasional wrong turn. Every person on your team is on a journey. Some are cruising in the fast lane. Some are lost with a crumpled-up map. Some are convinced they don’t need directions until they do.
Your job is to help them reach their destination without running out of gas or veering into a ditch. The road ahead will not always be smooth. Flat tires, unexpected detours, flight crews running out of time, and the occasional, “Are we there yet?” are all part of the ride. With the right approach, you can help your people take the wheel and own their journey.
Every Journey is Unique
Some people take direct flights to get to their destination quickly. Others turn a three-hour drive into an epic saga filled with roadside diners, sketchy motels, and at least one moment of existential crisis.
Everyone starts from a different place with different skills and destinations. Some have a clear goal and a packed suitcase. Others are still trying to figure out which direction to go. Your job is not to force them onto a pre-planned route. It is to help them navigate their own path.
And let’s be real – no trip ever goes exactly as planned. There will be missed exits, unexpected construction, and moments where someone swears that they know a shortcut. (Spoiler alert: they do not.) That is where you come in.
Recognizing the Travelers
Picture your team like passengers. Some are eager copilots who want to help navigate. Others are happy to stare out the window and let you do all the work. Then there is the backseat driver, convinced they could get everyone there faster if only they were in charge.
There is always one person who does not think they need directions but will absolutely panic the moment they realize they are lost. Those are the folks who need quiet guidance – the kind of guidance that lets them believe they figured it out themselves. Then there are the ones who ask a million questions before the engine even starts; they need details and certainty. Instead of being frustrated, recognize that every kind of traveler brings value to the trip.
- The Self-Sufficient Traveler – Give them the roadmap, make sure they have what they need, and let them drive. No need for backseat coaching.
- The New Navigator – They’re still getting used to the terrain. Help them set their route, point out potential detours, and check in before they accidentally end up in another time zone.
- The Frequent Flyer with Bad Luck – Sometimes, even the most seasoned travelers hit turbulence. Maybe they’re dealing with roadblocks or lost luggage. Be ready to jump in, hand them a new itinerary, and help them get back on track.
Understanding who is on your team matters. Not everyone moves at the same speed. Some need structure, some need freedom, and some need to be reminded not to leave their luggage in the overhead bin. But no matter the journey, your role is to guide them, adapt to their pace, and make sure they feel supported every step of the way. Because, in the end, it’s not about how fast they get there. It’s about enjoying the ride and feeling confident as they reach their goal.
Set Clear Expectations for the Trip
If you don’t tell people where they’re going, don’t be surprised when they get lost. Every successful journey needs a plan:
- Destination? Check. What’s the goal? Is it a promotion, skill growth, or just making it through rush hour without losing their mind?
- Milestones? Mapped. What are the major stops along the way?
- Roadblocks? Expected. What’s likely to cause delays, and how can you help navigate them?
And yes, even the best travelers need a GPS recalculating moment. If someone starts veering off course, it’s not micromanaging to nudge them back. It’s just making sure they don’t end up in Paris, Texas instead of Paris, France and wondering what went wrong.
Rerouting…Rerouting
No one likes a detour, especially when the road seemed clear just a moment ago. One second, everything is running smoothly. The next, a giant flashing sign tells you the main route is closed, and now you are winding through backroads with no idea when you will get back on track.
This happens all the time. Maybe someone who was thriving suddenly starts struggling. Maybe a high performer hits a roadblock they were not expecting. Maybe an entire project swerves in a direction no one saw coming.
Great leaders do not just point out the detour signs. They help people navigate through them. Sometimes that means giving them space to recalibrate. Other times, it means jumping in and figuring out the next best route together.
A detour does not mean failure. It just means the journey got more interesting. The key is to make sure no one gives up just because they hit an unexpected turn.
When the Wheels Fall Off
You will eventually face a moment when things do not just go off course – they completely break down. Maybe it is a major setback. Maybe it is a team member who is completely stuck. Maybe it is the moment where someone throws their hands up and says, “I can’t do this.”
This is where you will be tested. It is easy to guide others when everything is running smoothly and you just need to take the next exit. It is a lot harder when someone is stranded on the side of the road with no idea what to do next.
Sometimes, people just need a push to get moving again. Other times, they need to sit on the curb, take a breath, and figure out what went wrong before they can get back on the road. Your role is to know the difference.
- Give Space: Sometimes people need a break to process and regroup before moving forward.
- Encourage, Don’t Criticize: Offer reassurance and remind them setbacks are part of the process.
- Reflect on What Went Wrong: Help them identify the cause of the issue to gain clarity.
- Offer a Fresh Perspective: Suggest new ways to approach the problem.
- Break It Down: Divide the problem into smaller tasks to make it feel more manageable.
If the wheels have fallen off completely, forcing someone to keep moving will not help. But letting them know you are present and ready to help them try again is leadership.
Celebrate the Journey
Are you the type to slow-clap when the plane lands? Whether you celebrate loudly or with a subtle nod, recognizing the journey matters.
People don’t just want to hit their goals; they want to know their effort was worth it. Celebrate the progress, not just the finish line. Even small wins deserve a moment of appreciation. After all, the best road trips aren’t just about the destination. They’re about the stories, the misadventures, and the fact that everyone made it in one piece.
Fasten Your Seatbelts, We’re Coming in for a Landing
Your journey is just as important as the ones your people are on. You have to be flexible, aware, and ready to change course when needed. There’s no one-size-fits-all map for success, and the best leaders don’t force everyone onto the same road.
As a wise person once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Leadership is the same way. Pay attention to the people around you, help them find their way, and enjoy the ride.
Now, return your seatbacks to their upright position; we’re coming in for a landing.
