Be Like Water: Lessons from Bruce.

"Be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend." — Bruce Lee

This timeless quote from Bruce Lee comes from an interview he gave in the 1970s, where he described his philosophy of adaptability and flexibility. (You can watch the full video here).

I’ve always loved this quote and regularly listen to Lee’s words because they resonate deeply with me. This week, as I reflected on a situation that happened a couple of years ago, I found myself thinking of Bruce’s words again—how, as leaders, we must adapt our energy, approach, and communication style to meet the demands of each situation. Leadership is not static—it’s fluid, like water.

When Water Crashes: A Critical Moment at Work

A couple of years ago, I came across a group of workers engaging in what I saw as an extremely dangerous act. They were using a potato bin and a forklift to lift and fix a structural roof beam into place. One worker was standing inside the bin, balancing the beam, while another operated the forklift.

In that moment, my usual approach—calm, inclusive, and conversational—went out the window. My instincts took over. I yelled. Loudly. Forcefully. There was no room for debate or negotiation. I told them, in no uncertain terms, to stop immediately and reassess.

The response was immediate. The work stopped. They got the right gear and performed the task safely. The risk was mitigated, but my reaction didn’t go unnoticed.

Later, my actions were called into question by my manager and escalated to the owner of the business. They said my behaviour was aggressive and inappropriate. I was taken aside, my position as a leader questioned, and my fitness for the role discussed.

On paper, it seemed like I had failed. But I stayed firm in my resolve—I had acted based on the situation. If I was water, I crashed. And the workers didn’t.

What happened in the days and weeks that followed told a very different story.

When Water Flows: Respect Earned Through Authenticity

The workers who witnessed my reaction began to see me in a new light. I’ve always approached my role with professionalism, inclusivity, and a conversational tone. I’d worked hard to build trust and dialogue, but it had rarely felt reciprocal.

That day, though, they saw something else: my raw, unfiltered self. They saw someone who cared enough to throw aside the veneer of professionalism and react authentically. They saw that I wasn’t just following policy or ticking boxes—I was deeply invested in their safety. And when it really mattered, I would fight to protect them, even from themselves.

After I returned to work from the performance management, something had shifted. There was a newfound respect—not just for my role but for me as a person. Interestingly, when I spoke, they listened.

The Challenge of Adaptability

This experience left me thinking deeply about leadership, authenticity, and adaptability. Bruce Lee’s philosophy of being like water perfectly captures the balance we must strike:

• Sometimes, we need to flow: to be calm, inclusive, and collaborative, fostering dialogue and building trust over time.
• Other times, we need to crash: to act decisively, even forcefully, in moments of critical risk or urgency.

But adapting isn’t always easy. After that incident, I asked myself tough questions:

• Was my reaction appropriate?
• Could I have handled it differently?
• Would I respond the same way again?

The answer, as uncomfortable as it is, is complicated. Consciously, I want to believe I would react differently—calmer, more composed. But the truth is, in high-risk situations, instincts take over. And in that moment, my instincts were driven by a deep desire to protect.

The Double-Edged Sword of Authenticity

We often hear about the importance of authenticity in leadership: being your true self, showing vulnerability, and leading with honesty. And I believe in this wholeheartedly. But my experience taught me that authenticity is a double-edged sword.

When I let my raw, authentic self through, it was powerful. It changed how I was perceived, earned me respect, and showed I cared. But it also came at a cost. The reaction from management diluted the impact of that moment and left me questioning the support I had in my role.

The key takeaway for me is this: authenticity is valuable, but it must be paired with adaptability. Who you are as a person is an asset, but how you channel that authenticity depends on the audience and the context.

Be Like Water: The Leadership Lesson

In the end, Bruce Lee’s philosophy rings true. Leadership is about understanding when to flow and when to crash. It’s about adapting to the needs of the moment, whether that means quiet collaboration or decisive action.

As leaders, we’re often told to act a certain way—to stay professional, composed, and consistent. But we’re also human. And sometimes, what a situation needs isn’t the perfect professional response. Sometimes, it needs us to show that we care—unfiltered, raw, and real.

A Question for You

How do you balance authenticity with adaptability in your leadership? Have you ever had to “crash” instead of “flow”?

Let’s explore this together. Share your story or drop me a message—I’d love to hear your perspective.