It’s Not Enough to Be on the Bus—You Need to Be in the Right Seat

There’s a powerful leadership principle that evry leader needs to learn.

“First who, then what. Get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats.”
— Jim Collins, Good to Great

It’s simple. But it’s profound.

Because most people focus on just getting on the bus—

A job, a career, an opportunity.

But that’s only the beginning.

👉 Are you just on the bus… or are you in the right seat?

👉 And more importantly… are you even on the right bus? 😊

The Danger of the Wrong Seat

You can be:

Talented… but in the wrong role

Driven… but in the wrong direction

Successful… but still unfulfilled

That’s one of the most frustrating places to be.

Because from the outside, everything looks fine.

But internally, you know something is off.

👉 The wrong seat drains you.

👉 The right seat energises you.

My Turning Point

Was there a specific moment when I realised I was in the wrong seat?

Yes.

When I lived in the USA, I was used to being the main bus driver.

But when I moved to the UK in 2003, everything changed.

My mentor, Bob Safford Sr., was leading the group—

He was driving the bus.

And I had a decision to make.

I learned to put my ego to one side…

And instead of fighting for the driver’s seat, I chose to support him.

I became the passenger. The encourager. The cheerleader.

And something surprising happened…

👉 I loved it.

I played my part with joy.

I realised that just because I wasn’t in the driver’s seat didn’t mean I was in the wrong place.

That seat was taken—and rightly so.

And here’s the lesson:

👉 Learning to play your role in a “lesser” position doesn’t make you a lesser person.

👉 It prepares you for a greater role.

Proving yourself in one seat earns you the opportunity to move to another.

A Principle That Changes Everything

There’s something I’ve observed time and time again in life and business:

👉 When you prove yourself in one position, doors begin to open.

You don’t have to force them.

You don’t have to push your way through.

You don’t have to promote yourself to the world.

When you are faithful in the smaller things…

Bigger opportunities find you.

You grow into positions of influence and responsibility.

Naturally. Progressively. Authentically.

Too many people try to skip the process.

They want the title without the track record.

The recognition without the results.

But real growth doesn’t work that way.

👉 Just show up. Deliver. Be consistent.

And avoid becoming what I call:

“Big hat… and no cattle.”

All talk. No substance.

Because in the long run, it’s not what you say about yourself that matters—

It’s what your work proves.

Finding the Right Seat

Finding the right seat isn’t about status.

It’s about alignment.

It’s when:

Your strengths are being used

Your personality fits the role

You feel energised by what you do

You know you’re contributing in a meaningful way

Sometimes that means leading.

Sometimes that means supporting.

Both matter.

For Those Who Know They’re in the Wrong Seat

If you know you’re in the wrong seat—but you’re afraid to move…

Here’s my advice:

👉 Decide what you truly want.

Write it down. Get clear.

👉 Find someone ahead of you.

Identify someone in a higher position who represents where you want to go.

👉 Take them to lunch (your treat!).

Learn from them. Ask questions. Study their journey.

👉 Get around the right people.

Because proximity shapes perspective.

A Question Worth Asking

So let me ask you again:

👉 Are you on the bus…

👉 Are you in the right seat…

👉 Or are you even on the right bus?

Final Thought

You don’t always need a dramatic change.

Sometimes, you just need to:

Play your current role well

Grow where you are planted

And trust the process

Because when you do…

Doors open.

Opportunities come.

And you step into greater things—without forcing it.

Find your seat.

Be faithful in it.

And when the time is right… the next one will find you.

Note: This blog was originally published on Jeff Lestz’s official website jefflestz.co.uk on 18/05/2026. You can explore more of Jeff Lestz’s blog articles here.