Leadership on the Fast Track

“Now I get what my team has been trying to tell me since we arrived a year ago.” Shane was a highly productive team leader working overseas. As a Super Driver with all his Top 5 talents in the Connect and Energize quadrants he was seen by his team as Mr. Momentum—someone whose actions and connections galvanized others to move forward with urgency and purpose.

“There are times when I feel like I am leading by example like a Life Line, but upon a little reflection I don’t think about it or process it. I just jump in and get going. So then a little of the Optimizer first responder resonates with me but as I engage over time, I’m not that concerned if others are with me or not. The lack of natural reflection and mobilize really makes sense in the rougher wake my team feels once I get out of the starting blocks and shift into Super Driver mode.”

Like most Super Drivers, Shane is a highly results-oriented and action-driven individual who leads with relational energy focused on outcomes. Super Drivers set ambitious goals with emphasis on efficiency.  Their preference for direct communication and action can energize others through confidence and accomplishments.

The Great Wake of Super Driver Leadership

1. Results-Focused Execution
   Super Drivers excel at getting things done. Their strong bias for action ensures that initiatives move forward and deadlines are met with a high standard for performance.
2. Decisive and Actionable Clarity
   These leaders bring sharp decision-making skills and are rarely paralyzed by ambiguity. Their clarity of what needs to happen helps align teams quickly around urgent priorities.
3. Inspirational Energy and Drive
   Their intensity and ambition can be contagious, often motivating others to step up their own performance. They naturally infuse momentum into projects and teams.
4. Courage to Challenge and Innovate
   Super Drivers are not afraid to push boundaries. They are bold in their thinking and encourage disruption where needed to achieve better outcomes.
5. Efficient Problem Solving
   With a natural inclination for cutting through complexity, they are adept at identifying what matters most and directing attention there, improving organizational focus.

The Potential Rough Wake

1. Overemphasis on Speed and Results
   In their push for rapid outcomes, Super Drivers may overlook process integrity, long-term sustainability, or the emotional impact on team members.
2. Impatience with Diverging Opinions
   These leaders can become dismissive of perspectives that slow progress, potentially stifling creativity or collaboration from more reflective contributors.
3. Difficulty with Emotional Sensitivity
   Depending on their Connect talents, their intense focus on performance may lead to neglecting the emotional or relational needs of the team, which can hurt morale or trust.
4. Micromanagement Tendencies
   When others do not meet their high standards, Super Drivers may be tempted to take over, undermining delegation and team development.
5. Risk of Burnout (Self and Team)
   Their high-octane approach, if unchecked, can create a culture of overwork, leading to fatigue or turnover among team members.

As Shane realized, Super Drivers must be mindful of their intensity and impact on others to ensure long-term team cohesion and sustainability. Super Drivers bring exceptional value to team settings through their drive, decisiveness, and ability to generate momentum. When balanced with emotional intelligence and collaborative openness, their leadership on the fast track can produce extraordinary outcomes.