Most of us know that you cannot guarantee outcomes or control circumstances in complex, unpredictable environments. Even though we might know this in our rational brain, most of us struggle with a desire for control and guarantees. It shows up us anxiety, worry, frustration, hyper-productivity, and stress. And this of course affects how we are leading and the decisions we make. So how do we get ourselves free of this trap?
In the world of surfing, it is often surprising to learn that most surfers spend less than 2% of their time riding waves. The rest of the time is dedicated to activities that are less visible but equally important. This fact serves as a compelling metaphor for the world of business and leadership. And there are simple leadership tools and frameworks that can help us lead differently and make better business decisions.
So what do surfers spend the other 98% of their time doing in order to spend that 2% riding waves? Let's explore.
The Hidden Work of Success
Much like surfers, leaders and teams spend a significant amount of time preparing for moments of visible success. This preparation involves two key things: paddling—engaging in hard work and continuous learning and growth —and observing—paying close attention to the environment and adjusting strategies accordingly.
#1 - Paddling: In a business and leadership context, paddling represents the foundational work that sets the stage for success. As McKinsey & Company highlights, building an agile organization involves developing the capability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and customer needs. This requires practicing a wide range of skills and competencies, iteratively learning and improving, and growing intuitive wisdom. We also need to grow essential leadership qualities like awareness, curiosity, courage, and resilience.
Just as surfers paddle to position themselves for the next wave, leaders and teams work diligently to position their organizations for opportunities - to be able to adjust in the moment to the uniqueness of each new opportunity.
#2 - Observing and Sensing: Successful leaders constantly observe market changes, customer needs, and internal dynamics. They remain attuned to subtle shifts in the business environment, allowing them to adapt and pivot when necessary. Leaders also pay attention to relationship dynamics and what is wanting to emerge in the organization itself.
This attentiveness is akin to surfers watching the ocean, assessing wave patterns, and sensing changes in the water. The most experienced surfers seem to always be in the right spot at the right time. Some might think it's luck, but it is more often their depth of experience and greater awareness. I often think of it as developing spidey-senses or expanding their antennae.
The Importance of the Journey
In both surfing and business, there is a tendency to focus solely on the visible achievements—the equivalent of riding the wave. However, this perspective overlooks the critical importance of the journey itself. The path to success is often non-linear and filled with learning opportunities that arise from the less visible work.
In the realm of business agility, the journey involves continuous learning, experimenting, and adapting. Organizations that embrace an agile mindset recognize that success is not just about reaching an end goal but also about the iterative process of discovery, improvement, and adaptation. Forbes notes that measuring what matters involves looking beyond traditional metrics and considering broader indicators of organizational health and resilience.
Redefining Measures of Success
Traditional metrics of success, such as profits, market share, and growth rates, provide valuable insights but can also lead to a narrow view of achievement. When these metrics become the sole focus, they can create a culture of comparison and pressure, often leading to frustration and burnout. And they can even lead to decisions that actually hurt the business because we start chasing the measure instead of focusing on customer outcomes.
A more holistic approach to measuring success involves acknowledging the value of the journey and the effort invested in getting there. This includes recognizing the importance of skills development, collaborative learning, growing resilience, and the ability to quickly respond to change.
Just as surfers do not judge their day solely by the number of waves ridden, organizations should consider a broader set of indicators that reflect the overall health and adaptability of the business. This is where frameworks like Evidence-Based Management (EBM) can be quite powerful in shifting the focus to what matters.
Cultivating Creative Leadership
Effective leadership in today's complex environment requires more than just technical skills or strategic acumen. It requires a mindset that is open to new possibilities and resilient in the face of challenges. This creative leadership mindset contrasts with a reactive approach, where leaders may feel overwhelmed by uncertainty and driven by fear or scarcity.
Creative leadership involves embracing uncertainty as an opportunity for growth and innovation. It encourages leaders to experiment, learn from failures, and continually refine their approach. This mindset not only enhances problem-solving capabilities but also fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. The Stanford Social Innovation Review explains how leadership is not a static quality but a dynamic process that evolves within complex systems.
Conclusion: Embracing the Full Experience
The metaphor of surfing provides valuable lessons for business agility and leadership. It reminds us that success is not solely about the visible achievement but also about the unseen efforts and learning along the way. By redefining how we measure success and cultivating a practice of creative leadership, we can navigate the complexities of the business world with greater resilience and adaptability.
As we reflect on our journey, let us celebrate the progress we make, the skills and intuitive wisdom we develop, and the resilience we build. Just as surfers enjoy the whole process of surfing, leaders and organizations can find joy and fulfillment in the continuous journey of learn and growth while celebrating the wins - both big and small - along the way.
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If you are looking for support in your leadership & business agility journey, consider joining my upcoming Evidence-Based Management (PAL-EBM) Training August 22-23 (half days).