Leaders rarely fall off a cliff.
They drift.
Slowly.
Quietly.
Almost unnoticeable.
One small compromise.
One boundary avoided.
One decision made under pressure.
One expectation carried that didn’t belong to them.
Nothing catastrophic.
Just little steps… away from who they are.
That’s identity drift.
You don’t wake up one day feeling lost — you accumulate it.
And here’s the catch:
Most leaders won’t say, “I’ve drifted.”
Instead they say:
“I just feel off.”
“I don’t feel like myself.”
“I can’t tell what’s wrong.”
“I feel disconnected.”
“I’ve lost clarity.”
Those are identity signals.
They show up long before burnout does.
The good news?
Identity drift doesn’t take a massive overhaul to correct.
It takes returning.
Returning to what matters.
Returning to who you are.
Returning to what makes you steady.
Identity isn’t created by intensity — it’s restored through honesty.
If you feel like you’ve drifted, make one intentional move to return home.
Reflection Questions
- Where have you drifted from who you want to be?
- What would returning to your center look like this week?
If you want support getting grounded again, I help leaders realign their identity and strengthen their leadership from within. Reach out if you need that space.
One Intentional Move 