Ever worked in an office where leadership trends shift with the arrival of every new bestselling book? One leader is obsessed with Start with Why by Simon Sinek, another can’t stop referencing Jim Collins’ Good to Great, and yet another is urging everyone to “Lean In” like Sheryl Sandberg. And in the midst of all this, you’re left asking yourself, “What’s my actual job here?”

The Problem with Leadership Fads

I remember joining an office that seemed to have a revolving door of leadership philosophies. One manager was captivated by Simon Sinek’s Start with Why, emphasizing the need to find purpose in our work. Another couldn’t stop quoting Jim Collins’ Good to Great, urging us to refine the little things to make our business more successful.

Then came the person who had recently discovered Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg, encouraging us to take on more responsibility. But what exactly did “leaning in” mean in practice? Another colleague, fresh out of a service academy, couldn’t function without an extensive standard operating procedure in place. It often felt like we were more focused on documenting our processes than actually getting any real work done.

Each of these leaders brought a different approach, often influenced by the latest leadership book they had read, leaving us confused and unsure of which direction to follow.

Distortion Instead of Direction

As a relatively new team member with a few years of experience, I was looking for mentorship and guidance on how to advance my career. But instead of clarity, I found distortion. Every leader seemed to have their own take on how things should be done, often influenced by whatever leadership book was popular at the time.

While each approach had its merits, the constant shifting of leadership philosophies left me and my colleagues unsure of how to navigate the workplace effectively. The noise from competing ideologies made it hard to focus on what truly mattered—getting the work done and finding ways to grow within the company.

Observing the Truth Beneath the Noise

So, I decided to do what I do best: observe. Instead of getting caught up in the endless cycle of leadership trends, I paid attention to people’s actions. The more I watched, the more I saw patterns that transcended the theories from leadership books.

What really mattered wasn’t the “why” from Start with Why, the pursuit of greatness from Good to Great, or even the idea of “leaning in” from Sandberg’s book. It was understanding the people I worked with—their true priorities and the underlying factors driving their behavior. This allowed me to step in where needed, filling gaps and picking up the slack without being asked.

And guess what? It worked. My managers noticed, and I began to thrive, not by following the latest leadership fad but by focusing on the context of the workplace.

The Importance of Context in Leadership

This is where context comes into play. It’s not just about absorbing the ideas from leadership books; it’s about understanding the environment you’re working in. When you start to focus on context, you reduce the distortion caused by competing leadership theories. Instead of getting distracted by the latest trend, you can identify what really matters and align your efforts accordingly.

Context allows you to see the patterns in people’s behavior, the culture of the organization, and the systems that keep everything running. Once you have this understanding, you can insert yourself in a way that supports both the work and the broader goals of the organization—no matter what leadership style is currently in vogue.

Wrapping it All Together

Remember those various leadership styles that created confusion and frustration? That’s a common experience in many organizations today. The key to cutting through the noise isn’t to latch onto the latest book or theory. It’s to understand the context in which you’re operating. By observing, listening, and focusing on what truly matters, you can chart your own path to success. Leadership books like Start with Why, Good to Great, and Lean In have valuable insights, but it’s your understanding of context that will ultimately help you lead effectively.