Living in the era of AI we neglect the fact no AI can beat or will ever change the emotions and feelings of a human connected with nature. We train AI to think like humans, but we can’t train AI to ground itself in nature. It can’t go out and ‘touch grass’. AI only reflects what we know.
Let’s look at this from the viewpoint of fishing. Fishing is not about fish. It is about interacting and learning from nature. Nature is the wisest leadership coach available and helps one to become better with every interaction. Nature is a source, not a resource.
A moment of connection with nature leads to the realization of your inner strengths.
Success in fishing comes when you become a part of nature, not a mere visitor. Success with people comes when you are a part of them and create value for them every day. Casting for fish we are revealing ourselves and learning about life and leadership where every cast is not into the water but into the core of ourselves.
We will have driverless cars, but we will never have people-less organizations. Nature helps us to remain human and to learn about others in an authentic environment. This is what AI can’t do.
Fishing is a labor of love
Every fishing trip is transformational. Every leadership task is transformational. Every interaction with nature, every interaction with people, every challenge, and every moment of exploring something new is a moment of transformation if we are prepared to open our minds and hearts.
Albert Einstein said, ‘There are two ways to live: as if nothing is a miracle, or as if everything is a miracle’. Fishing is about discovering a miracle in nature, in life, and people.
Fishing helps me to enhance my humility and keeps my ego on a short leash – on every trip I have questions to explore. It shows that I know little or even nothing and must learn more. There is always something to learn as no one can wade into the same river twice. I’m an eternal student of nature.
Constant learning is the norm allowing you to see the beauty of the world – the forces of nature, millions of colors, unpredictable changes, and incredible people with whom and for whom you work. Whether in fishing or in leadership, mastery is defined by the ability to learn, unlearn, and learn again. If you can’t do this, then don’t try to pretend.
We all have limited resources. At the same time, we all have an abundance of resources around us. Leadership is about learning how to behold the abundance. Thus, you learn to be ready for changes and challenges at any moment and have everything you need at hand.
Regardless of what stage of leadership you are at, a novice needing guidance, a pirate who has already crossed the ocean a couple of times, a strategist, or even a visionary leader, remember that leadership is a privilege. This is a credit from people that is due every day. Learn how to repay it with the most value for people.
Leadership is a labor of love
Many years ago, I was a second engineer on the deep-sea trawlers in the North Atlantic; one of the deadliest professions in the world.
I have worked with wonderful captains. One of them is Jack Lilly, captain of ‘Dorothy Grey’, greatly respected by crews and owners, and known for his ability to fish in all conditions. Jack sensed the fish or had fish gills himself.
We were catching a lot of fish with him. My personal record whilst working with Jack was to gut eight tons of fish in a day, while doing my main duties in the engine room and with all the mechanisms on the deck. A normal day was like twenty hours of work and four hours of sleep. After a week of such hard work, you literally cannot sleep from fatigue.
So, imagine that you are already heading to port right after handling the last trawl full of cod, completely exhausted, and trying to sleep for six hours before the next watch shift. However, as I said, you cannot sleep – your brain and muscles are still tense.
Jack was breaking the rules for the people. He would come into the messroom and pour a decent shot of
‘Famous Grouse’ to the crew, and then a second shot. After two good drinks of whiskey, you sleep like a baby, lulled by the waves, and warmed from the inside.
Skipper Jack always said at this point, ‘Thank you, guys! We did a great job! Let’s get home without any problems.’
Conclusions
Fishing is a labor of love. Leadership is a labor of love. Love and care are my tackle to catch people’s hearts and minds.
Lessons learned:
- A good leader shows sincere concern in all conditions.
- Caring for people should come from the heart, be personal, and express great appreciation. No matter who we are, we are all looking for care, appreciation, and acceptance.
- Leadership is seen in involvement and revealed in care for people.
- Appreciating and celebrating people’s achievements is a recipe for cultivating loyalty.
- Connect with people by doing something for them, not just saying nice words.
If you want to learn more about authentic leadership, read my latest book, The Fisherman’s Path to Leadership.
Written by Dr. Oleg Konovalov.
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