Scuba Diving and Business: Leadership Lessons from the Depths

While scuba diving at Anacapa Island in the Channel Islands, on Saturday, I marveled at the kelp forests and rich biodiversity that have earned this area the nickname “the Galapagos of North America.” During the hour-long boat ride back, I reflected on how many of the principles that lead to a successful dive mirror the principles of effective business leadership. Here are some of the ways success in scuba diving aligns with business success.

1. Broad Plans Break Down to Individual Actions

A successful dive requires careful planning at every level. Before my buddy and I entered the water, the dive shop planned and scheduled the charter, the captain planned the trip with weather and sea-swell?in mind, and the dive master set the dive site parameters for all divers. Finally, each dive team prepared their individual goals and dive plans. Similarly, in business, broad strategies cascade down through functional areas down to individuals who execute. This chain of planning helps ensure alignment and clarity at every level.

2. Attention to Detail

Attention to detail in diving is critical as humans don’t do well breathing water! Scuba divers follow strict pre-dive checklists: individual checks, buddy checks, and a final check by the dive master to ensure everything is as safe as possible. This redundancy mirrors the “maker/checker” principle in business, where one person performs a task and another reviews it to catch any errors. Using checklists like BWARF - BCD (Buoyancy Control Device), Weights, Releases, Air, and Final “OK” helps keep divers safe; similarly, checklists in business help prevent costly mistakes.

3. Go Fast Alone, Go Far Together

In diving, the buddy system is essential, especially in challenging conditions like kelp forests, recreational “deep” dives, and situations like cave or wreck diving.? While it might be quicker to dive alone, a buddy is there to assist in emergencies, like untangling from kelp, watching for nitrogen narcosis, or sharing air if your supply fails. In business, collaboration also leads to more sustainable, reliable results. While an individual can get a task done quickly, a skilled team is more likely to achieve completion on a challenging project.

4. Data and Dashboards

In diving, data matters. You constantly monitor breathing gas levels, depth, and decompression time—essential metrics for a safe dive. Similarly, in business, dashboards track key data like cost per lead, customer acquisition cost, and lifetime value, to name a few. To navigate underwater in low visibility situations, a diver must trust his or her compass, just as business leaders must trust dashboards and data to navigate uncertainty. Know your data and trust your benchmarks for success.

5. Managing Technical Debt

Scuba diving results in “technical debt” in the form of unnecessary accessories, excess weight, and obsolete items which increase drag, reduce efficiency and decrease bottom time. Maintenance is critical after a dive: equipment must be rinsed, inspected, and serviced to ensure optimal performance. In business, technical debt—quick fixes and outdated tools or processes—can slow down progress and increase costs over time. Regularly addressing these inefficiencies keeps both divers and businesses streamlined and effective.? You must make time to address technical debt.

5.5. Controlling Your Narrative

Two narratives often influence our perception and performance in both diving and business: imposter syndrome and the Dunning-Kruger Effect.? Both stem from FEAR, or False Evidence Appearing Real. Imposter syndrome can cause self-doubt, undermining the confidence needed to succeed. In contrast, the Dunning-Kruger Effect can be dangerous, as divers or leaders overestimate their skills and take on tasks / risks beyond their capability.?

In both diving and business, the best way to control your narrative is objective, real-world feedback—letting the environment itself be the test. The ocean doesn't lie, the water will show you if your skills are sufficient; similarly, in business, the market provides immediate feedback on the value of your product or service. By staying grounded in reality and embracing feedback, leaders can overcome false narratives and approach challenges with greater confidence and humility.

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Diving offers lessons that can enrich leadership and teamwork on the surface. Both diving and business require preparation, attention to detail, resilience, and trust in your team and your instruments. By drawing on these parallels, leaders can dive into their roles with clarity, navigate challenges, and rise to success.