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Leadership lessons from a sea turtle

February 10, 2014|

In September 2012, during a visit to Mt. McKinley in Alaska, I got into a whimsical discussion with a local guide about what leadership advice a mountain might offer, if it could speak. Just recently, during some “up close and personal” swimming time with green sea turtles in Hawai’i, I somehow ended up in a similar conversation –what leadership advice would sea turtles give us, if they could talk? What leadership lessons can we learn from turtles?  Here’s my list:

  • Swim with the current (instead of against it)
  • Be open to alternate journeys; they may take you to better feeding grounds
  • Remember to come up for air
  • When you’re in deep and the pressure is heavy, stay calm and swim to the surface
  • Navigate your way through stormy waters
  • Each day is only one small step in a lengthier journey – think long-term
  • Take time to rest on the beach!

So what would you add to my “leadership lessons from a sea turtle” list? Please share by Commenting below.

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8 responses to “Leadership lessons from a sea turtle”

  1. Terry

    My only off the cuff remark is, it is often good to swim against the current. It is good for toughening you up.

    Just be pretty sure you are right.

    Reply
    1. Merge

      Ha, good one Terry! But you don’t want to do it so often that you’re exhausted. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Claude Demers

    I like the ones presented and would also offer this one…..

    In order to move forward towards your goal, don’t hide your head inside your shell.

    Reply
    1. Merge

      Yes, perfect one for a turtle!! Taking it further, how about “Sometimes you have to stick your head out and take a risk”?

      Reply
  3. Bob Van de Vrande

    I would add:

    Look around you and see the interesting ‘non-turtles’ who are following you or swimming beside you. Enjoy the swim together.

    Reply
    1. Merge

      That’s right Bob, the ocean is teeming with other aquatic life — imagine how much we could learn from each other!

      Reply
  4. RICK

    Hang around the waterfall. You might be surprised at what that will stir up (learned from a sea turtle in Waikoloa)

    Reply
    1. Merge

      You’ve been swimming with sea turtles too, I see Rick! They’re pretty amazing, aren’t they? But to go back to your lesson, I think the key here is that you want to seek out the turbulence, kind of like what Terry suggested earlier in this thread when he said that you should swim against the current. Because it’s in times of challenge that we sometimes make the greatest breakthroughs!

      Reply

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Merge Gupta-Sunderji, CSP, Leadership Expert

Merge’s leadership development consultancy has one singular focus – to turn managers into leaders; to help great people become exceptional leaders so that they can turn their people power into real and tangible results. Through her speaking, training, consulting, mentoring and facilitation services, Merge helps leaders in organizations create high-performing workplaces.

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