So, what does the word Drive actually mean and how does it differ between the leader’s perspective and that of the individual. The word Drive is interesting because it has a very complex meaning yet many common definitions use words like determined and urge which, in certain circumstances could be synonymous with the word Drive itself. For our purposes, we define Drive as, “having the desire and determination to satisfy the need to achieve success.” By breaking up the definition into two sections (Desire & Determination) and (Need & Success) it allows us to see both the action and the result of the definition.
Wordnet says that Desire is “the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state” or “an inclination to want things.” When looking at these two definitions in the leadership context, both definitions must include a reference to a group or a unit (team). With the addition of the word team, we now have, “the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state for the team” or, “an inclination to want things for the team.” This coupled with the definition of Determination, “the firmness to do or achieve something” gives us the motivation and the purpose in the word Drive.
The word Need, in our definition of Drive is, “a psychological feature that arouses an individual or team to action toward a desired goal leading to success.” And, again from Wordnet, Success is, “an event that accomplishes its intended purpose”. Thus, in this portion of our definition of Drive, the word Need is the catalyst and Success being the result.
Considering the word Drive in the leadership context creates a more complex formula than just looking at Drive in the individual. Drive in a team setting requires the leader to both articulate and demonstrate. First, the leader must articulate why the team’s unsatisfied state has relevance to the entire group and then must convey what defines a successful result to a given objective. Once the leader has articulated the objective, the leader must demonstrate his or her own firmness and commitment to execute the required actions needed to achieve the defined success. Both articulation and demonstration are critical and one thing this is NOT, is leading from behind.
The term leading from behind, is the approach in which the leader acts more like a facilitator. Also called servant leadership, this method is built on the idea that the defined leader is primarily responsible for creating a condition that allows individuals to self-determine who in the group will emerge as the front-runner and show the way to defining and obtaining a successful outcome while the defined leader provides support from behind. This style of leadership requires anything but Drive.
A true leader understands that Drive requires continuous action. The true leader sets the pace for his or her team. A true leader takes the responsibility for defining the path all the while creating an environment that makes the individuals on the team better. He or she is continually putting the team in a position to succeed. Drive is that engagement from a leader that provides the purpose, the motivation and the catalyst with success being the result.