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The author and her husband recently enjoyed their third adventure in canoeing the vast watershed of lakes and inlets that meanders between Minnesota and Canada. She discovers more leadership lessons from the simple act of paddling. 1. In crisis times, everyone must put their head down and do their job. 2. Trust is a two-way street. 3. Rock not the boat. 4. Downtime is essential. 5. A great leader makes the job look easy. 6. At the end of the day, take time to celebrate success.

MY HUSBAND AND I recently enjoyed our third adventure in canoeing the vast watershed of lakes and inlets that meanders between Minnesota and Canada. Each time we've come, I discover more leadership lessons from the simple act of paddling.

Our first day out we're battling 30-knot headwinds across Lake Saganaga. I dig into the water, trying to add more power to each stroke. My husband controls the direction. At times I have to shout that we're headed toward a submerged rock. I have the topographical map on my lap and am the first to spot where we need to go. Our progress is slow until we turn into a bay. Now the wind is at our back, and we surf into safety. The intense pressure is off.

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I rest for a minute and think of the lessons I just learned.

Lesson 1: In crisis times (like strong headwinds), everyone must put their head down and do their job. Decisions are instant because there's no time to hold lengthy meetings, decide by consensus, or conduct a 360-degree survey. The trick is to know when it is a real crisis and not a standard way of doing business. The latter will sap your strength and determination.

Lesson 2: Trust is a two-way street. But you don't wait until a crisis to test trust. Trust builds over time. In the bow of the canoe, I am like a frontline employee, working hard to make headway. I am the one who sees problems with customers, defects with products, or ineffective operations. Thankfully, I have a leader who listens when I see trouble ahead. Communication has to be quick. The leader has to trust what I say and make a decision to respond. many times have I heard managers say, "I want no surprises," yet, when an employee comes to them with information, it's discarded? At the same time, what if I hollered "rock" when there wasn't one? I too must speak the truth if I expect my voice to be heard. If we don't listen to each other in calm water, we won't respond in rough water.

Lesson 3: Rock not the boat... unless! With a shallow draft, canoes are easy to tip over. Weight stays centered on the spine of the canoe...unless. There are times when body weight must be shifted to make a tight turn. Paradox? Yes and no? Intuition beats standard operating procedures every time.

Lesson 4:Dormtime is essential. Getting away from the headwinds and into shelter is an enormous relief. Do we create safe harbors for ourselves, our employees? A leader knows when folks need a break. People need to breathe!

Lesson 5: A great leader makes the job look easy. My husband surely does. So by day two, I claim the leader's role at the back of the canoe. I'm convinced I can take this position easily. Not. To my dismay, I discover I need skill in turning a canoe paddle into a rudder. It is not as easy as it looks. I can't get the motion right. I expend far too much energy with few results. I don't have the know-how to quickly change the direction of the canoe. I need training and more experience. How often do we criticize leaders and think that we can do a better job? What looks simple is only made so by training and experience. If we want the title, we need to take the time to learn what it takes.

Lesson 6: At the end of the day, take time to celebrate success. How marvelous to pause, rest, and give each other a high five when we make it successfully to sunset. Too often we forget that celebration of success does not wait until the final goal is achieved. Rather, it is incremental success that spurs us on to the next effort.

ACTION: Apply these six lessons to your team.

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