02/15/2023
Fly fishing is an awful lot like leadership - or any other skill you are trying to master. If you could simply read a book or two, theoretically glean the message, apply it and consider yourself a master, it would be easy. People look on LinkedIn or other social media for 'snapshots in time'. A photo that 'proves' you're there, you're successful, you're perfect. The "hero shot" (shown here), or on a stage, behind a podium, holding your award, your trophy, your accolade. But, the truth is much harder than that. Leadership, like fly fishing requires real practice, lots of broken line, and lost flies. An overabundance of stiff joints and mind boggling mess ups that defy all reason and logic. Getting a coach (shown here is my mentor, friend and one of the best fly anglers in this country Meredith McCord) is helpful. Practice is helpful. Falling down in waders, or in the boardroom, in a sales meeting, in your first 1:1 are all part of the process, and ALSO helpful. You don't see many pictures illustrating these very real and more common experiences though, have you noticed? I even wonder what those photos would LOOK like (I'd love your comments here).
In a recent trip to Louisiana to catch a Red fish on a fly rod (my second unsuccessful attempt) - I caught this 33lbs Black Drum. It is a personal best. It was my first of this species. SO MANY things to be grateful for, despite the fact that I didn't get what I had my mind set on. Sometimes leaders have their mind set on something that isn't actually meant to happen now (or maybe even ever), yet what DOES happen is an amazing outcome and experience that surpasses ANYTHING their mind could have imagined. And so my friends, keep at it. Keep practicing. Notice all of the wins around you, the small wake you are making, and notice the beautiful sunshine; even if the single pressing goal you had in mind didn't show up exactly as planned. Til next time Louisiana -
