Derived from a team email written on July 22nd, 2019

Yesterday, my family went to a nearby country club with some close family friends.  It was a blast!  My son, Zachary, thoroughly enjoyed the pool and kiddie sprinklers. Pushing me into the spray over and over again was a “game” that never got old (at least for him).  He had a “force field” which protected him from any splash and gave him the upper hand.  My daughter, Natalie, is a little fish and fully water safe. Phew!  I got a half hour of laps in while they were both occupied, which felt great and always tempts me to train up for a triathlon one day.  

But the real highlight was the diving board…

Natalie was excited, but nervous to try it.  In an effort to encourage her (and because diving boards are ridiculously fun), my husband and I joined the line as well.  Natalie went first, walking nervously to the end, peering into the water and then quickly turning around and running back to me.

 Natalie is pretty fearless, but this was a step outside her comfort zone.  With a lot of cheering from the sidelines, Natalie made her way back down the plank and hopped in (clearly terrified). After she expertly swam to the ladder, she pulled herself out of the water with a big grin and quickly made her way to the back of the line.

I was up next.  Realizing I haven’t jumped off a diving board in a couple of decades, I have to confess I felt some butterflies in my stomach as well.  My muscle memory knew I needed to give it a running start.  Still, my cognitive-self took over and holding back I half-heartedly approached the end of the board at kind of a “bouncing walk”.  Just like my daughter had a moment before, I freaked out and backed away from the edge returning to the front of the board. 

Laughing at myself and because everyone was watching/waiting in line, I took a deep breath, turned around, committed to “going for it” and tried again.  Within a split second, I was entering the water with a nostalgic “whoosh”, pulling at my swimsuit in necessary ways before I emerged to the surface.  With a grin (probably identical to Natalie’s), I pulled myself up the ladder and headed to the back of the line.

As I stood waiting for my next turn, l began reflecting on what a wonderful metaphor for leadership the diving board provides: 

• There are elements of literally “walking the plank” into semi-uncomfortable territory. 
• You are jumping into the deep end, needing to place your confidence not only in your ability to swim, but also in the potentially painful sensation of entry. 
• If you misjudge it, you will flop in very real and visceral ways.  Flops make a big splash and call a lot of public attention to them.  While an expert dive with seamless water entry might go unnoticed, the smack of hitting the water makes onlookers cringe. 
• You can see it in the expressions of those “floppers” as they climb up the ladder, not only expressing the sting of physical pain, but embarrassment and even shame from the spectacle they just created.
• As a leader, eyes are always on you – and “flops” are equally public.  Concurrent with privately enduring the sting of failure, you need to lift your chin up, confidently walk back to the board and try again with the pressure dialed up to nail it the next time.

Pulled from this moment of deep insight (LOL), it was my turn at the board again.  Second go-round, I was much more confident.  My body remembered what it needed to do.  While I had little to no experience on this particular diving board, I tried to remind myself that I have done this hundreds of times before that could be leveraged here.  

Not only did I need to take the challenge with a running start, but to really achieve the height and form I aspired to – I needed to force myself to run and take a big athletic jump, trusting my steps at the very end of the board to use this momentum to spring board myself head first into the deep-end.  With this level of courage and commitment, I totally nailed it and knew it the minute I entered the water.  It felt natural, easy and exhilarating, necessary wardrobe adjustments and all.

Again, isn’t the same true with leadership.  Confidence, courage, commitment and a willingness to do what you know “is right” – even (and especially) when you are a little apprehensive to do so.  Using your vision of what you want to achieve to propel you forward and fully execute your intention.  When you line up all the pieces, it feels good – even effortless.  It honestly will not attract as much attention as those “flops,” but in your heart you will know you gave it your all and did your best. You’ll feel proud.

Enough about an old swimmer’s walk down memory lane.  I hope you each found equally fun ways to beat the heat this weekend.  Next time you are faced with a challenge, perhaps recall the analogy of the diving board.  I’ll be right there cheering my head off at the side of the pool as you muster up the courage and momentum to whole-heartedly take the plunge.  And as I reminded Natalie, you’re not going to need it, but if you get in over-your-head in the deep-end – I’d jump in at the first major sign of distress and help you to the ladder.  She didn’t need it and I know you won’t either.  The offer always stands and sometimes just knowing someone has your back helps.