Insulation — the archaic definition of this word means to literally “make an island.” Insulation was a defensive technique that cities or castles used to keep enemies out, whereby they dug trenches to cut easy access off from others. The term has come to mean in the last century to keep warmth in, but it has not always been so. It is key to grasp that a leader who becomes insulated, creates a massive obstacle for their followers and ultimately their own ability to influence, communicate, and promote growth.

Therefore, if isolation is withdrawal, then insulation is the construction of barriers or obstacles that signify a full-blown retreat. Insulation is a by-product of isolation. It is, literally, entrenchment. Entrenched obstacles are permanent, lasting and more difficult to overcome.

Insulation is a base form of selfishness. What do I mean? Insulation typifies that a leader has so withdrawn either because of thoughts or actions that he only trusts himself. Truly selfish leaders are horrible to follow. Their concerns are only those that affect their leadership or how they perceive others view them. They are at their core narcissists. Their vision will become so singular that the natural course is to remove voices, opinions and thoughts that they view as rivals. This process can be implicit or explicit.

Implicitly, the insulated leader stops listening to anyone or any source that doesn’t agree with what he already believes. The leader nods his head or stares blankly but has divorced his belief in anyone else’s ability to perceive his reality. Competing or disagreeing voices become offensive. The insulated leader becomes offended easily and offends easily. Implicit insulation says, “my thoughts are the best, in fact, they are the only ones that really matter.”

Explicitly, the insulated leader moves toward extreme communication styles. Either reducing communication to almost non-existent or becomes very aggressive and intrusive. Often the insulated leader ends long-time relationships and shifts loyalty. There is often a decrease in passion and a declination of enthusiasm. Some loss of passion and enthusiasm are normative, however, the concern arrives when things that used to spark your passion or heighten your enthusiasm are viewed with boredom that moves into contempt and revulsion.

Insulation is a form of self-satisfaction. Self-satisfaction breeds complacency. Oswald Chambers says, “the most difficult person to deal with is the one who has the prideful self-satisfaction of past experiences.” Complacency is not merely putting the car in neutral.  Complacency is parking the car, taking the key out, and then removing the tires.  It is the signal to all of your followers, peers, and constituents that you are not moving. It says on some levels that you are at your destination. Complacency squelches creativity and innovation. Complacency causes the bonds of loyalty to loosen.