Can the "Summer Slide" happen to Leaders too?

Welcome to the Leader’s Lens: The Perspective Shift issue!

This issue offers a fresh perspective and actionable tips to enhance your leadership this week.

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Don’t Let Your Leadership Slide

Every summer, educators warn about the “summer slide,” the subtle learning loss students experience when school’s out and structure fades.

Growing up, I remember doing workbooks and little exercises to stay sharp. These days, my wife keeps our kids balanced by making time for learning while still enjoying the break.

But lately I’ve been wondering:

What’s the leadership version of the summer slide and could we be slipping without even knowing it?

I get it. We are not robots; we all need a break! This season is great for that!

I often stare out of my window during this time of the year because it’s so nice out. My mind wanders to the next trip to Central Oregon, or finding time to play at the park with my family.

But what if the leadership slide goes beyond the bounds of a seasonal slowdown? What if it could be early signs of something deeper…?

For mid-level leaders, are you expressing the following symptoms:

• Coasting on mastered routines?

• Putting off your own development until “things slow down?”

• Losing sight of the big picture under the weight of daily execution?

You could be navigating the dreadful Mid-Career Development Plateau!

What is the Mid-Career Development Plateau?

It’s a common (and often quiet) phase where growth flattens.

You’ve been in your field a decade or more. You’ve built credibility, handled pressure, maybe even climbed a level or two.

But now?

You feel stuck. Stagnant. Disconnected. Like the spark is fading.

You’re not alone. In her LinkedIn article, Elise Sinha describes that this plateau is marked by reduced motivation, unclear advancement paths, and a lack of meaningful challenge.

And it doesn’t always show up as burnout. It can hide behind busy calendars and competent performance.

I noticed that I was plateauing in my career 5 years ago. There was a period where I applied for multiple positions in and out of my organization to climb the corporate ladder.

But every turn, I found myself top 2 or 3 after the final interview.

Frustrated and defeated, I turned back within my role and just “did my job.” I was coasting in my role. I didn’t really contribute anything new to the team. I was fulfilling my obligations, but lacked desire to do any more.

The job was easy. And thats when I began to slip.

Leadership stagnation rarely announces itself. It quietly shows up in disengagement, withdrawal, and settling.

I thought it was a phase that would pass eventually. Until a peer reach out to me one year into my slide and noticed my decent to the background in leadership spaces.

That was a reminder that my actions not only affected me, but it impacts those around me. It also reminded me that growth doesn’t mean “new job title,” but it could mean finding new challenges within the area I am currently occupying.

3 Questions to Reignite Your Leadership Growth

Instead of waiting for inspiration to strike, ask yourself:

• Where have I gone on autopilot?

• What would challenge me right now in a good way?

• What do I need to learn next to lead at the next level?

When I asked myself theses questions, I found that I could strengthen the way that I organize my team’s success through strengthening processes. I also found myself shadowing our key stakeholders to understand their world more because I knew it would improve the way I lead my team with delivering projects.

I even started engaging with resources that were outside my industry and creatively integrated them within my team’s operations, such as sending videos or using AI to speed up note taking.

Your 3-Part “Leadership Anti-Slide” Plan:

We have to choose to grow on purpose. If we feel like we have mastered an area, we will find ourselves bored.

Try one or all of these tactics to decrease your chances of a Mid-Career Development Plateau

1. Pick 1 Growth Goal - Find a skill to develop, a relationship to build, or a stretch project to lead

2. Build in Reflection Time - Try one leadership journal question per week or schedule a monthly walk-and-think session

3. Commit to Visibility - Share what you’re learning, initiate a conversation, or mentor a colleague

(By the way, if you would like coaching and guidance with designing this for yourself schedule a call with me!)

What If It’s Not a Slide But a Sign?

Sometimes, what feels like a leadership slide isn’t about needing to re-engage…

It’s about needing to move on.

You’ve outgrown the space.
You’ve stretched as far as the role allows.
You’re no longer aligned with the values, direction, or energy of the work.

Don’t see it as quitting out of failure. See it as choosing integrity and honoring your future.

If that’s you, don’t confuse that nudge with burnout or boredom.

It might be clarity. And clarity deserves courage.

Additional Resource

I found this great article that shares how to encourage your employees are experiencing a plateau in their careers! Check it out and let me know what you think!

No matter where you are on your journey (coasting, climbing, or considering a change) don’t let this season slip by.

Choose growth. Choose clarity. Choose leadership on purpose.

Ray

Whenever you are ready, here are ways you can work with me:

• 🎤Speaking - As a Speaker and Facilitator, I will engage your team on how belonging and inclusivity can increase your team dynamics! ​Book Ray Now

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P.S. - Thank you to those who have filled out the survey letting me know more about your leadership journey! I am excited to dive into the results over the next couple of weeks to provide you with resources and content that will support your leadership! If you haven’t filled it out yet, do so by clicking the link here!

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