Leaders don’t fall in a single moment. They drift, often imperceptibly at first, but steadily and surely.
Little by little, almost imperceptibly at first, they begin to veer off course. Not because of a glaring failure or public collapse—but because of quiet compromises that seem harmless. That’s why Paul’s warning to Timothy is so striking:
“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child… wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith.”
—1 Timothy 1:18–19 (ESV)
Paul didn’t say they ran aground in rebellion. He said they drifted. They neglected faith and dismissed a clear conscience—and eventually, they wrecked everything.
As Christian business leaders, we’re not immune to this. In fact, we might be even more vulnerable. Leadership drift is a slow slide into moral compromise, spiritual apathy, or self-centered ambition. And if left uncorrected, it can cost us our influence, our legacy, and even our walk with God.
David’s Drift: A Leadership Case Study
King David’s story in 2 Samuel 11 offers one of the clearest examples of leadership drift in all of Scripture.
It began quietly:
“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war… David remained in Jerusalem.” (2 Samuel 11:1)
He wasn’t where he was supposed to be. David, the once-vigilant shepherd and warrior-king, chose comfort over calling. That decision may have seemed minor—but it marked the beginning of his drift.
Then came temptation. While walking on the palace roof, David saw Bathsheba bathing. Rather than turning away, he indulged his curiosity. He inquired about her. And even after learning she was married to Uriah—one of his most loyal soldiers—David summoned her. He slept with her. And she became pregnant.
What followed was a desperate effort to hide his sin. David brought Uriah back from the battlefield, hoping he’d sleep with Bathsheba and cover the pregnancy. But Uriah refused—his loyalty to his fellow soldiers wouldn’t allow him such comfort while they were at war.
So David drifted further.
He arranged Uriah’s death. He ordered Joab to place him on the front lines and then withdraw, ensuring he’d be killed. When the deed was done, David married Bathsheba. On the surface, it looked tidy. Respectable. Controlled.
But God saw everything.
“But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” (2 Samuel 11:27)
David’s leadership drift led to moral failure, the death of an innocent man, a broken household, and lasting damage to his legacy.
What Causes Leadership Drift?
Drift happens when leaders:
- Neglect their responsibilities (like David staying home)
- Isolate themselves from accountability
- Rationalize compromise in the name of results or comfort
- Ignore the Spirit’s conviction in favor of their desires
- Lose connection to their source of strength—God
And here’s the key: drift rarely feels dangerous at first. It often masquerades as rest, entitlement, ambition, or even wisdom. But over time, it leads leaders further from the course God has marked out.
Leadership Drift Today: What It Looks Like
Leadership drift today might not involve rooftops or royal power—but it’s just as real:
- A CEO begins manipulating numbers to meet quarterly targets “just this once.”
- A pastor preaches to please the crowd rather than confront sin.
- A manager entertains a flirtatious conversation while convincing themselves, “it’s harmless.”
- A team leader cuts prayer time short because deadlines feel more urgent.
None of these decisions may seem like a shipwreck in the moment—but each one is a small step away from dependence on God, and a step toward spiritual disaster.
The Call to Hold Fast
Paul’s challenge to Timothy is our roadmap to avoid drift:
“Hold on to faith and a good conscience.”
Faith anchors us in who God is—His power, promises, and presence. It reminds us that we lead not by our own strength, but by His grace.
A good conscience keeps our internal compass aligned with truth. It urges us to confess quickly, speak honestly, and lead with integrity.
Together, these two provide the guardrails to protect our hearts—and our leadership.
5 Anchors to Prevent Leadership Drift
- Start Every Day with Surrender
Begin each morning by asking God to search your heart. Invite Him to correct any early signs of drift. It’s crucial to recognize these signs early and take proactive measures to prevent further drift. Surrender your calendar, your decisions, and your leadership influence to His authority. - Stay in the Word
Scripture doesn’t just inform us—it transforms us. Reading God’s Word daily reorients our hearts and clears the fog of compromise. - Welcome Accountability
Leaders who drift most often isolate themselves. Invite trusted friends, mentors, or board members into your life. Give them permission to ask hard questions and tell you what you may not want to hear. - Pay Attention to Small Compromises
It’s not the obvious temptations that destroy us—it’s the ones we excuse. Stay alert to the “small” sins that soften your resistance to bigger ones. - Learn from David—And Others
David’s fall wasn’t the end of his story, but it did cost him dearly. Let his example serve as both a warning and a reminder: God forgives, but leadership drift still leaves a mark.
Conclusion: Stay Anchored Before You Drift
David’s drift didn’t begin with adultery or murder. It started with a choice to stay home.
And our own drift won’t always feel like sin at first. It may look like resting when you’re needed, hiding behind busyness to avoid God, or making one small ethical exception.
But the drift is real. And so is the cost. As Christian leaders, let us heed the warning signs of drift and take proactive steps to prevent it. Let us stay anchored in our faith and integrity, and lead with the grace and truth that God provides.
So, leader—stay anchored. Hold tightly to your faith. Keep your conscience tender. Surround yourself with people who point you to Jesus. And when you notice yourself beginning to drift, stop and return before the waves pull you too far.
Because shipwrecks are preventable. But only if you recognize the drift in time.
Action Steps for Leaders
If you want to lead faithfully and finish well, these action steps will help you stay anchored:
- Assess Your Heart
Ask the Holy Spirit: “Where have I started to drift?” Be honest, and write down what He reveals. - Create an Anchor Routine
Build a daily rhythm of Scripture, prayer, and reflection—even 15 focused minutes can reset your course. - Identify One Area of Drift
Choose one compromised area—integrity, relationships, spiritual health—and take a bold step to correct it this week. - Enlist a Truth-Teller
Find someone who loves you enough to speak hard truths. Schedule a monthly check-in to assess your spiritual and ethical well-being. - Share David’s Story with Others
Use David’s drift as a cautionary lesson in your leadership circles, Bible study, or workplace team. Let it spark a healthy conversation.
Discussion Questions
Use these prompts in your leadership team, small group, or personal journal:
- What does “leadership drift” look like in your current role or season of life?
- Where are you most tempted to compromise your faith or conscience?
- Who in your life helps you recognize and correct your drift?
- How can you become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s conviction?
- What specific boundaries will you set to stay anchored in your leadership?
More Articles
I have written several articles on the topic of values. You can find them by typing “Values” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are several of my favorites.
- #571: Chances Are Your Employee’s Core Values Are Not What You Think!
- #569: Scalable Culture: Fueling Innovation and Paving the Way for Growth
- #563: Four Ways Christian Leaders Can Impact Culture for Good
- #558: Building Trust in Leadership: A Christian Lens on Competency, Consistency, and Character
- #549: Why Focusing on Becoming, Not Achieving, is the Key to Christian Leadership
Join the Conversation
As always, we welcome questions and comments. Have you experienced leadership drift in your career, either within yourself or in others? What happened?
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Category: Personal | Values
When I was chief of police a sergeant came to me about the Police Officer Association secretary possibly embezzling from the POA account. Not a large amount. Maybe an over sight. It would have been easy to tell the Sergeant to confront the POA secretary and simply straighten it out. But that skirted accountability. Thus, I had the District Attorney’s Office conduct an independent investigation. Turns out the POA secretary had embezzled some funds. Not a huge amount, but then being a thief is like being pregnant. You either are or you’re not. The POA secretary claimed it was all mismanagement on his part, but he lost his job anyway. It was hard, because I liked him, but I couldn’t let our ship run adrift.