Leading Without Emptying The Ocean

Posted on 29. Jun, 2010 by Paul Andrew in Leadership, The Leadership Coach™

I read some very disturbing scientific research recently that you might have read too. The conclusion of the widely publicised project was that 90% of the species we fish for today will be wiped out by 2048 until fishing practices change.

With an eightfold increase in commercial demand for fish since 1950 the report found that our generation is “over-fishing” the oceans to such an extent that we’re crippling the ability of entire species to replenish their numbers. In effect we are eating our children’s fish too and emptying their oceans.

The concept of sustainable fishing practices should challenge us about leadership too. I’ve witnessed many unsustainable leadership practices in my time, as I’m sure you have. Part of the difficulty in identifying unsustainable leadership is that at the time it often seems “productive”, “results-oriented” and even “effective”. It’s not until later that you discover that this type of leadership has left the team utterly dry and depleted. Pity the next leader who inherits the team that has been “fished” to the point of collapse.

In search of solutions, marine scientists are attempting to determine the “maximum sustainable yield” for fishing stocks. Do you know what that maximum yield is for those you lead? Sure, you can get 80 hours a week out of some people for while, but not forever. You can churn through team members with a demanding and controlling approach to leadership and achieve big things for a while, but not forever.

I believe it’s the responsibility of true leaders to understand not only what they can extract from their people but also what those people need in order to replenish themselves for the long haul.

I had dinner with a leader in New York this week who heads up a large and growing non-profit organisation. He was leaving for five weeks of summer vacation, an annual tradition for his family that he defends from all the noise and busyness of leadership because he knows how to replenish their personal reserves. I can imagine the pressures he’d face to shorten that trip, especially since he leads an organisation with a cause. But I’ll wager he’ll still be leading in twenty years.

In the end, sustainability is about prioritising long-term returns over short-term gains.

So how sustainable is your leadership?
• What strategies have you built into your personal work habits to keep you from burning out?
• Is downtime the luxury of a few senior leaders or the mandate of every individual?
• Will your team still have anything left to give in ten years if they keep on giving their time and energy at this level?
• Have you created a culture where it’s a priority for every team member to refresh and replenish themselves?

I’d love to hear your comments, especially on what you’ve discovered about keeping leadership sustainable

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Tags: Leadership Impact, Leading Teams, Performance Coaching, Productivity, Team Building

11 Responses to “Leading Without Emptying The Ocean”

Mark Nicholson

29. Jun, 2010

Amazing Insight. What else can i say? Glad to see that the NY coffee over there is definately having it’s effect on your creativity.

Keep up the good work!

[Reply]
Paul Andrew Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Thanks Mark & Robin – hoping this will be the year that these articles start to really get out across the world. Thanks for being part of it!

[Reply]
Robin Baird

29. Jun, 2010

You inspire and give me incite every newsletter . I eagerly await the next publication

[Reply]
Mavis Green

30. Jun, 2010

Replenishing… simply profound! Real time off is so rejuvenating. It makes it appealing actually to get back to some good hard work. Paul your points are so needed in our culture! Thanks again. I always learn something and look forward to your articles! It was GREAT to meet your team as well! Congratulations on the massive growth!

[Reply]
Malika Cox

04. Jul, 2010

This is great insight. It is so easy to forge ahead without evaluating the health of the team. Appreciate your wisdom and the heart for New York City.

[Reply]
Paul Andrew Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Thanks Malika, and you’re right – “forging ahead” can easily be done at the expense of our people. And we’re LOVING being in NYC!

[Reply]
Sowathey

04. Sep, 2010

This article is just the food for thought needed.
Try to make the task, a learning opportunity for the team, thus they can produce and also improve. but the challenge is in making the team see the opportunities.

[Reply]
Karen Puddy

21. Sep, 2010

Paul Andrew, you have an amazing way to make people THINK, which is so important. I enjoy reading your blog so much, and so glad you’ve decided to give of your abilities to help others. Long term sustainability is for marriages and raising children as well. It sometimes is a fight to replenish, recreate, and rejuvenate. Thanks, be blessed!

[Reply]
Paul Andrew Reply:
September 22nd, 2010 at 6:15 am
Thanks Karen… I appreciate the encouragement!
Paul

[Reply]

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Tweets that mention Leading Without Emptying The Ocean | Paul Andrew | Keynote Speaker, Leadership Trainer, Executive Coach | The Leadership Coach -- Topsy.com - 29. Jun, 2010
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Paul Andrew and Paul Andrew, Christer KingEdeborg. Christer KingEdeborg said: Don't miss @paulwandrew's latest blog "Lead Without Emptying The Ocean" on sustainable leadership. Thought provoking! http://bit.ly/ducUQo” [...]
The Threshold Bite | Paul Andrew | Keynote Speaker, Leadership Trainer, Executive Coach | The Leadership Coach™ - 10. Aug, 2010
[...] of team culture and momentum • Pushing for results and “work ethic” at the expense of long-term sustainability • Working so hard at creating unity that we squash innovation and diversity • Believing our own [...]

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