Let’s talk boats.
Not the expensive, lake-house, “I deserve this” kind.
Paper ones.
That image: one red paper boat out in front, the rest white, trailing behind like a kindergarten field trip.
Looks like leadership, right?
Well… maybe, but also maybe not.
Are your people where they are today:
- Because of you? (Congrats, Captain. You’re doing something right.)
- With you? (Hey, shared leadership is a thing. Good on ya.)
- In spite of you? (Ouch. But also… yeah, that happens more than we like to admit.)
Here’s the deal: being the “red boat” doesn’t mean you’re leading.
Sometimes it just means you’re louder, faster, or off in your own direction yelling ‘FOLLOW ME!’ while your team is wondering if anyone packed snacks.
Leadership isn’t about being in front.
It’s about clearing the way, setting the tone, and navigating with purpose.
(Also… if you have to keep turning around to check if they’re still there, they’re probably not.)