Boat Rocking Leadership - What is it?

It is an early June morning with a crisp breeze blowing out of the North.  You are in your new Triton fishing boat on Big Twin Lake along with several other fishermen.  If you sit quietly in your boat, it will be hard to differentiate one fisherman from another.  But imagine, if you would for a minute, what would happen if you suddenly stood up in your boat and started rocking it side to side - maybe laughing or hollering loudly?  This serene, calm day on the lake would quickly turn into chaos.  Other boaters might be puzzled by your behavior.  They might assume you had a crazy night on the town or Attention Deficit Fishing Disorder (ADFD).  You would look different. Why?  The normal way to fish is patiently, sitting quietly until the fish are ready to take the bait.  Passive fishing is the “Right” way to fish.

            Boat Rocking Leadership looks different.  It breaks the status quo of “normal “leadership we have grown accustomed to by putting organizational goals ahead of personal, casting vision void of self promotion, developing relationships in order to mentor subordinates, and leaving a legacy long after you have retired.  Boat rocking leadership is about influencing your family, community, and organizations in ways that exceed your wildest imagination. 

            The key to Boat Rocking leadership is the integration of leadership concepts and ideas into your daily life - to live leadership rather than try to be a leader! Knowledge is important in every aspect of your life, but applying that knowledge to achieve maximum effectiveness is critical in becoming a better leader.  Knowing that stopping a team’s running game is a key to winning the game is good, but applying that knowledge and actually stopping their running attack will win you the game.  Knowing that investing is important for future financial stability is great, but choosing the right stocks, mutual funds, etc. is critical to establishing a secure financial future.  Knowing that raising your kids is an incredible responsibility is important, but actually investing the time and energy in a chaotic world is critical to them becoming productive adults, and knowing that vision, character, integrity, mentoring, etc. are all necessary qualities for a leader is important, but living leadership daily in the face of new and difficult challenges is critical if you desire to ha an influence in the lives of the people that surround you.

Why fight against the leadership status quo that says, “Do what is best for me regardless of the cost to my organization or family”?  What’s wrong with maintaining the leadership status quo?  Economies are crumbling, unemployment is rising, and moral failings are the norm; the church has been reduced to irrelevant and insignificant.  What’s wrong with the leadership status quo?  Maybe a better question is what’s right with the status quo!  We need leaders who aren’t looking for solid footing but rather are willing to push through uncertainty, are focused on doing their best NOW and trusting the future will take care of itself, are willing to stand up in the boat when everyone else is shouting sit down, and even willing to take risks that might result in falling out of the boat!  In my humble opinion, falling out of the boat is better than NEVER standing up.  Let’s be BOAT ROCKERS!!!!