(3 minute read)
What’s Water?
Here’s a short story from Chapter Seven of my new book, Igniting the Powder Keg: Seven Keys for Nonprofit Board Engagement.
There’s a vital leadership lesson here—not just for nonprofits, but for leaders of every organization. Read the story first, and then I’ll unpack the challenge beneath it.
Carla, a new nonprofit CEO, is in conversation with Bo, a seasoned, recently retired CEO and mentor.
“I’d like to dive deeper into this idea of the ‘secret sauce’ and why it matters for board engagement,” Carla said.
“First,” Bo replied, “understand that much of what we’ll discuss won’t be brand-new information. This isn’t about learning a new language. It’s about reframing what you already know in ways that expand your leadership capacity.”
“Carla, imagine two young fish swimming along together, chatting as they go. An older, wiser fish swims past them in the opposite direction, nods, and says, ‘Morning, boys. How’s the water?’
“The two young fish keep swimming for a moment in silence. Then one finally looks at the other and asks, ‘What’s water?’”
“You see, we don’t see things as they are. We see things as we are. Sometimes the most important realities in our lives—the forces shaping us every single day—remain completely invisible to us simply because we’re immersed in them.”
So let me ask you: What’s right in front of you that you still can’t see?
It’s almost a ridiculous question, isn’t it? If you’re missing it, how could you possibly know what it is? But maybe part of you already does know.
Maybe:
- It’s something you know you should address, but you in denial…
- It requires a level of courage you’re not sure you can summon…
- Facing it would expose something others already see clearly—but you’d be embarrassed to admit.
- Or… It truly is invisible to you… at least for now.
Years ago, I met monthly with four other leaders in a mastermind group. At one gathering, we asked each other a dangerous question:
“If I weren’t in the room, and you were having a completely honest conversation about me, what’s the one thing you believe I most need to hear in order to take my leadership to the next level?”
That conversation changed me.
I learned things about myself I genuinely could not see. Some insights were affirming. Others were difficult. All of them were valuable.
But something else happened that day, too: trust in the group deepened dramatically. Vulnerability has a way of doing that. Honest feedback, offered with courage and care, can become rocket fuel for growth.
The “water” had been surrounding me all along. I just hadn’t recognized it. Once I did, it unlocked new leadership capacity I didn’t know was possible.
So what’s in the water around you?
And if you don’t know…
Or don’t want to know…
Or aren’t surrounded by trusted people willing to tell you the truth…
What’s your next move?
Because leadership growth rarely begins with expertise. More often, it begins with awareness.
And it’s never too late to take the first step in the right direction.
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Please share this with your friends who are nonprofit leaders.
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This blog shares perspectives on how you could create new story endings that are filled with meaning, power and hope. I facilitate culture-changing processes through keynotes, workshops and consulting that help organizations achieve greater impact. Also, I provide leadership coaching to help executives and aspiring leaders become the fullest expression of who they’re intended to be. If you’re looking for coaching or consulting services, contact me at contactbrianbecker@gmail.com.
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