Learning to drive a car is one of the more notable teenage rites of passage. I recall turning onto U.S. Highway 19 for the first time and accelerating to keep pace with the rest of the traffic. “Don’t drift too closely toward the lines. It’s startling to the other drivers,” the instructor said. I nodded. “If you need to change lanes,” he continued, “make sure you do so safely. Turn on your blinker, check the mirrors, and look over your shoulders to eliminate blind spots. Keep your speed steady and proceed. Until then, stay in your lane.”
That was a long time ago! Today, “stay in your lane” has taken on a figurative meaning—in short, it’s advice to discourage involvement beyond one’s capacity or concern. There are times it sounds like friendly counsel and others when it come across as snarky caution. It always takes a certain amount of calculation to determine a sensible approach to real-life circumstances. Staying in your lane or leaving for another are both appropriate on the highway—and it’s like that in the workplace, too. It’s a matter of recognizing what’s most expedient.
When is it fitting to “stay in your lane” at work? Faithful execution of day-to-day tasks is your primary contribution to your organization. Staying keeps employees accountable to their work. It’s a reminder to prioritize and focus on personal responsibilities. Staying is also a professional courtesy to colleagues that acknowledges their expertise and reflects confidence that they are best qualified to handle their workloads. It’s a sign of respect and sustains proper boundaries. At times, the best way to be a good co-worker is to take care of your own business.
And when is it best to “leave your lane” at work, i.e., voluntarily go outside of your designated to-do list? When it’s for the overall benefit of your organization. It’s commendable to show your willingness to be available. A periodic ‘Let me know if I can help’ type of statement to teammates indicates your willingness to collaborate and share for collective success. Have a sense of when your input can have a valuable impact. Employees that stay to a fault can come off detached, not wanting to stray too far—if at all—from their job description.
Like most new drivers, it took me several times behind the wheel to get acclimated to highway travel. Eventually, the repetition of the driving instructor’s directions settled into my conscience. The decision to stay in or leave a lane became second nature. It is in the workplace as well. With experience it becomes easier to know when to concentrate on a personal track and when it’s worthwhile to shift over. It’s up to the conscientious professional to skillfully drive and act as the situation warrants.