What Surfing with My Daughter Taught Me About Building Company Culture

For almost 40 years, surfing has been a cornerstone of my life. It’s not just a sport but a way of being—an art of patience, balance, and learning to embrace the waves as they come. Naturally, I hoped my daughter might share my love for the ocean. Yet, as she grew up, her passions led her to dance, not surfing.

People often asked, “Does it bother you that she doesn’t surf?” My answer was always the same: “She has her thing, and she loves it. If she ever wants to surf, I’ll be here for her.”

Then, at 14, something shifted. Surfing caught her attention, not because of any pressure or expectation, but because it resonated with her on her terms. My role? To be there. I had set an example, shared my enthusiasm for the ocean, and provided opportunities for her to explore if she wished. When she was ready, the tools, support, and encouragement were already in place.

This journey with my daughter reminded me of something vital about company culture.

The Parallels Between Surfing and Company Culture

Like an aspiring surfer, teams and individuals thrive in environments where culture isn’t imposed but nurtured. As leaders, we often feel the temptation to push a particular narrative or mold our teams into an ideal vision. But culture isn’t something you enforce. It’s something you live, model, and cultivate over time.

Here are three lessons surfing with my daughter taught me about fostering a healthy company culture:

1. Lead by Example

My daughter didn’t take up surfing because I told her to; she took it up because she saw my passion and the joy it brought me. Similarly, in a workplace, values resonate when leaders embody them. Whether it’s commitment, respect, or a spirit of innovation, your actions speak louder than words.

As a leader, show up every day in a way that reflects your company’s core values. Live the culture you want to create—it will naturally ripple out to your team.

2. Create the Right Environment

I never pressured my daughter to surf, but I made sure the surfboard was there, the wetsuit fit, and the ocean was always an option. This is how culture works, too. Provide the tools, resources, and space for your team to explore and grow.

Whether it’s open communication channels, professional development opportunities, or an environment of trust, it’s about creating the conditions that allow your team to thrive when they’re ready.

3. Patience is Key

Culture doesn’t happen overnight, just like my daughter’s love for surfing didn’t spark instantly. It takes time, consistent effort, and a willingness to let people find their way.

Sometimes, the wave of engagement or alignment takes longer to roll in. That’s okay. Trust the process, stay consistent, and remember that the best things—whether it’s surfing skills or a strong company culture—are worth the wait.

Riding the Waves of Culture

Now, my daughter and I share surf sessions that I treasure deeply. But the joy isn’t just in her riding waves; it’s in seeing her embrace something on her own terms.

In the workplace, fostering a culture that allows people to discover their potential is much the same. It’s about showing up, setting the tone, and trusting that your consistency and example will create the right conditions for growth.

As leaders, our role is to guide, not force; to inspire, not dictate. And when the time is right, you’ll see your team ride their own waves, propelled by the culture you’ve built together.

Whether on the ocean or in the office, the principles are the same:

Be the example. Build the environment. Trust the process. The waves will come.