Still Waters Turn Green
Mac McNeil
Executive Director, NCRC CDF | Author of My Great Aunt EDNA leadership book & newsletter | Host of My Great Aunt EDNA Podcast | Named 10 Most Influential Black Corporate Leaders to Watch in 2023 by CIO Views Magazine
Have you ever owned a swimming pool and the water pump stopped working? This happened to me in the middle of the summer of 1998 in Memphis, TN. If you have never lived in Memphis, TN in July, I am here to let you know that it is excruciatingly hot and humid, and you can honestly begin to question the rationale for life on Earth if you have a lawn to mow. My swimming pool pump malfunction was one of the worst, most costly, and best life lessons that My Great Aunt EDNA reminds me of regularly. I learned a few things that summer. One, is that water is intended to perpetually be in a state of motion, and if you allow water to remain stagnant in extreme heat, bad things happen. Secondly, Green Algae loves stagnant swimming pools in suburban Memphis in the summer. Third, so do frogs.
In this metaphorical example, the pump has the accountability of keeping the contents of the pool in motion. In business, leaders are the pump that are the Accountability that My Great Aunt EDNA speaks of. When leaders fail to keep things moving in their own work pools, teams become stagnant, grow algae, and eventually invite frogs to join them. Plainly speaking, still waters turn green, and it is very expensive to reinvigorate and purify again.
There is an existing leadership theory that envisions the role of a leader as someone who makes puzzle pieces fit together. In this theory, it is the leader's responsibility to find the right pieces, determine where they belong, and then place them in those positions to create one team picture. The problem with this theory is that once a picture is complete, it becomes a stagnant image. My Great Aunt EDNA envisions teams as liquid, in a constant state of motion. The leader's role then becomes focused on establishing boundaries (Spirit of Excellence), setting direction (the pump), and then allowing the water to flow uninhibited within those boundaries. If you love looking at water as I do, try to imagine someone micromanaging its movement. It is literally impossible to do. Water can be directed, but its every move cannot be controlled.
When liquid teams have a strong pump, the team remains more pure, is not inviting for unwanted pests, and does not create an environment where bacteria and algae grow. The team feels more free to operate within established boundaries, and more external stakeholders desire to partake in the recreation of the team's culture. Being the strong leadership pump for your team requires that a leader pulls the team in closely, circulates the team through the system (individual coaching), and then sends the team out strongly (with renewed confidence) back into the environment in a particular direction to re-engage with the team without micromanaging the movement.
If you are a leader that is struggling with stagnation on your team, reenvision how you can be the pump to send your team in a new direction. Sometimes, it is as simple as breaking up the picture you created, establishing new boundaries, and then allowing your team to flow in the direction you establish, in the manner in which they desire.
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Regional Manager at American Airlines Group
2 年Excellent metaphorical description of good leadership. Bruce Lee encouraged us all to “be like water.” Explaining you have to become soft with life, be flexible to change and be as resilient and multifaceted as water. Pondering Lee’s and Aunt Edna’s metaphor, it’s easy to understand and comprehend the importance of fluidity. Great teachings, thanks for sharing with us.
Environmental Business Leader
2 年I love this analogy ???? Water stagnation also kills life inside of flowing streams, lakes, ponds, etc. If water doesn’t flow, the beneficial bacteria, nematodes, fungi & tons of other essential micro organisms die off because of the lack of oxygen. By stimulating flow into water, you are literally breathing life into the process.
Spot on analogy using water to describe team culture in the current environment. It’s always a great sight seeing leaders set direction while allowing the team to set their own GPS.