I Have No North Star

Welcome to Lead Learn Repeat, a weekly newsletter to help leaders make smart decisions and excel in leadership, business, and technology. All in 5 minutes or less.

COVID led me to question my own journey, my role as a leader, and the concept of having a grand vision or a "North Star".

In this newsletter, I share my thoughts on a “North Star" in my personal approach to leadership.

• 📝 Article: I Have No North Star

• 💡 Tip: Finding Your North Star or Direction

• 💬 Quote: Lao Tzu

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.

📝 I Have No North Star

COVID brought it home for me. I had been hustling and grinding, climbing the ladder my whole career, only to be left wondering what it was all for.

Maybe it was because I had more time on my hands that I was thinking about where to go from where I was.

Mel Robbins says that almost everyone who gets stuck or feels lost or is wanting to make a change is missing one or more of these four things:

1. Either you're not taking responsibility for your life

2. You don't believe in yourself

3. You're not taking action

4. You have no “North Star”

It isn’t the first three items. I’ve always worked hard to move forward and been accountable for my successes and failures.

So maybe it’s the lack of a North Star?

It’s true - I don’t have a grand vision of my life’s purpose or how my story unfolds.

But I’m not aimless.

I have goals, both personally and professionally. These smaller goals change over time. I achieve one thing and start working on the next.

I know what good looks like as a VP of Engineering, and I’m evolving and shaping my team to be the best we can be. I take pride in my team’s accomplishments.

What I’m saying is that there is no grand unifying vision I’m working towards.

Is that a problem for me as a leader?

Having a clear vision or purpose can provide direction, inspire others, and help maintain focus during challenging times. It can also help in decision-making, as decisions can be evaluated based on whether they align with this vision or purpose.

But I think it's a double-edged sword. If leader ties themselves to an ideal grand image, they could run into problems:

1. Rigidity: If you get too attached to a vision, you may become inflexible and resistant to change, even when a change is necessary or beneficial.

2. Alienation: If your vision is too far removed from reality or the desires of the team, it can lead to disconnects and a lack of engagement.

3. Ignoring the Present: A grand vision is inherently future-oriented. If you are too focused on the future, you may neglect the present, including current issues that need to be addressed.

4. Pressure and Stress: Having a grand vision can put immense pressure on yourself to achieve it, leading to stress and potential burnout.

I know how I want to show up. I know my core values, and I let them guide me in my day-to-day. Honesty, integrity and authenticity are core to who I am inside and outside of work.

I take business objectives and break them down. I create plans and action the steps to achieve them.

Maybe my notion of a North Star as some big “Aha!” moment or overarching goal is all wrong.

I know where I’m going directionally, even if don’t have a specific North Star I’m following. And I’m ok with it for now. If my circumstances or feelings change, I can always change my sails and chart a new course.

I’m focused on being the best I can be in the present moment.

What's most important is I’m effectively motivating and guiding my team towards shared goals, advancing the needs of the organization, and doing so in a way that respects and values the contributions of all team members.

💡 Tip: Finding Your North Star or Direction

If you find you don’t have a clear vision or purpose, or your current vision is causing problems, you can take steps to find or redefine your "North Star" or at least which direction to go:

1. Self-reflection: Spend time thinking about what truly matters, what you are passionate about, and what you want to achieve.

2. Seek feedback: Talk to team members, peers, mentors, and others to gain different perspectives and insights.

3. Consider the bigger picture: Think about how you want to impact your team, your organization, and the world at large.

4. Align with values: Ensure your vision aligns with your personal values and the values of your team or organization.

5. Be flexible: Remember that a vision or purpose can evolve over time. It's okay to make adjustments as circumstances change or as you gain new insights.

6. Balance: While having a grand vision, also focus on the present and take care of the immediate needs of the team or organization.

💬 Quote: Lao Tzu

Here's a quote by Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher, that resonates with me.

This suggests to me that a leader's role isn't necessarily about having a grand vision, but about guiding and helping others to achieve their collective goals.

The leader's direction is clear, but the focus is on the team's accomplishments rather than the leader's personal vision.

Until next time, lead with passion and purpose.

I’d really appreciate your feedback. It’s my hope that this newsletter leaves you with something to think about and is something you look forward to receiving each week. Simply reply to this email - I’ll respond. Thanks in advance.

📢 Spread The Word

I’m on a mission to help leaders grow and learn.

If you think this newsletter would help someone you know, please forward it to them.

And if someone forwarded this edition to you, please don't leave without hitting the big red button below.