Leadership Lessons I Learnt from This Water Stream!

“One day your life will flash before your eyes – make sure it’s worth watching!”, says my inner voice with a reassuring smile. And I smile back at it with my freshly re-realized confidence, and said, “…hey, let me remind you I am a storyteller!”

…and this particular scene is not just memorable, but a lot enriching too! You want to know, how?

Well, while I was on one of my Himalayan hikes last week, as usual, a musical sound awestruck me and my right foot stopped just at the touch of my heel onto the ground, even before the toes could kiss the rock underneath... I so much wanted to absorb this music… this feel… this moment that my foot did not want to touch the rocky path only to happily miss any other sounds. And, instantly I knew this music was coming from a nearby stream of water.

Where is it coming from? Where is it flowing to? Is it a smooth flowing stream or is it flowing up and down the usual rocky terrain of the mighty Himalayas? I was restless to know…

My senses can’t wait a moment longer and my feet start rushing softly yet swiftly through the misty, muddy terrain to the source of this music. Wow! there it is… a serenely soulful sight…the gentle flow of water splashing against pebbles, boulders, rocks and the grass.

I immediately brought out my camera to take a picture of this captivating scene. My eyes along with all of my senses met this stream through the lens of my camera, and yet with a different lens, only to widen my view of the world. And, as I did this, it occurred to me that there are some life lessons to be learnt from this observation… Leadership Lessons to be lived on this stage of life!

To begin with, I realized this stream has an inspiring ability to adapt to conditions. Though, there were rocks, mud and a boulder inside the stream, the flow of water was not hindered at all. Rather, the stream rapidly adapted to the situation it faces and continued to flow. The lesson I learnt here is that as a leader I must have the ability to adapt to a changing world without losing focus.

As a matter of fact, adaptability is one of the key attributes of an effective leader. I also observed that as the water flows, configurations are being changed, new structures are created. Once again, as a leader, I must be willing to let power shift from person to person based on the task on the ground. Forums, teams, groups could evolve and dissolve in organisations but the mission must be crystal clear. No member of my team must be a lone ranger. New structures, newer patterns must continue to emerge without compromising the core vision of my organisation. This reminds me that the era of rigid structures is fast dissipating in this VUCA world paving way for the fluidity that facilitates teamwork and consistent team performances.

In addition, to its adaptability, the water is only interested in flowing. It is simply said that, “water answers to gravity, to downhill, to the call of an ocean". And that’s precisely I am reiterated should be the focus of a leader; the call of the ocean… the organization!

Clarity of this focus is one of the prerequisites of leadership. Leader in me must simply know where I am going before calling on other people to come on the journey with me. I must be able to create an inspiring vision for the future. I must be purposeful and focused on the vision despite all the challenges. Isn’t it?

Another lesson is that of direction. The water was able to direct the activities of every member of the 'team'- rocks, mud, silt, boulders etc. Similarly, a leader needs to be able to guide others in the right direction. To do this, their message must be simply clear and must be communicated to each team member at the right moment in time.

During my brief encounter with this stream, my observation did not see any water flowing backwards. It is just one direction and that is towards forward. Fascinating as life is.

Also, now my lens could gather that lively connection that existed between the water and the rest of the 'team'. The flow of water created synergies among the rocks, pebbles, mud, and grass in the stream. That makes me frame an interesting upshot here that leaders too, must provide platforms for their team to work together in order to conquer a common goal. Simply put, as in the mountains we say, “It is not the mountains we conquer. The mountaineer conquers herself”, similarly, a leader doesn’t just conquer the organizational goal. The leader conquers herself and her team. A healthy relationship most certainly makes a team happier and healthier.

And, as I leave the scene, I begin to reflect on how much nature has to teach us on leadership, and life at large. I do not think this is a coincidence. Leader in me must surely continue to adapt to changes in this ever changing world. I must find order in disorder. Continuous innovation and adaptability is definitely the cutting edge of current times.

I am often asked by my family, friends, and clients too about what do I get out of these countless nature hikes and Himalayan expeditions I can’t stop going to?

Well, I am sure you’d agree that my film is not just worth watching, but worth experiencing too! Isn’t it?

So, my dear ones, on your next meeting with nature, how about, you…

…take some time to reflect on what leadership lessons have you learnt?

…take practical steps to work with others using these lessons and ask yourself how you did?

…have a dialog with your inner self to ensure clarity of focus and your life purpose?

 Happy Improvising!!

#SimplyVinita 😉