Why the best journeys require more than just someone behind the wheel
When thinking about leadership, consider the metaphor of a car journey! It’s been mentioned in a few ICC keynotes recently and we wanted to share it with our Virtual Coach audience too.
On a car journey (in 2025!) there’s a driver – steering the wheel, setting the direction, and making decisions. Then there are passengers – sitting back, going where the driver takes them. At first glance, this seems like a clear distinction: drivers lead, passengers follow. But in reality, the dynamic is far more nuanced.
The Driver’s Role
Drivers:
- Steer towards the vision and destination
- Make critical decisions under pressure
- Keep the momentum going, even when the road gets tough
Drivers thrive on responsibility, assuming control over the journey. But being a driver can be exhausting – constant vigilance, decision-making, and accountability take a physical and mental toll.
The Passenger’s Role
Passengers aren’t just passive, they:
- Help navigate and give directions
- Keep the driver alert and engaged
- Pay attention to the route and traffic
- Share snacks and manage the playlist
Passengers provide insights and added value that the driver may not have access to; they share the workload and lead specific aspects of the project; they offer perspective, challenge assumptions, and help to avoid blind spots; they facilitate the comfort and entertainment along the journey.
And how about the extra, virtual Passenger?
Technology has ushered in another member on the journey, in the form of route maps and real-time data, to support both passengers and drivers in making time specific and efficient decisions; and to calibrate the best route relative to live conditions.
Why Passengers (both real and virtual) are essential
A driver without active passengers risks making decisions based solely on past experience or limited information, and the relentless driving could lead to burnout. Passengers bring balance, collaboration, optimised information, and resilience to the journey. They ensure the driver isn’t isolated or ill-informed, and that the team moves forward together.
This analogy holds true for leaders and their teams
Leadership isn’t about being the driver all of the time. Great leaders know when to take the wheel and when to be an active passenger, empowering others to drive the team forward. Similarly, strong team members understand that even if they’re not steering, they have a responsibility to contribute meaningfully.
The best journeys happen when drivers and passengers work in harmony – sharing the load, respecting each other’s roles, staying informed, and keeping their eyes on the destination.
What are the circumstance that inform the role of driver or active passenger in your team? What agreements or triggers exist for you and the team, that dictate how the dynamic can and might shift?
