An Unsuspecting Lesson In Leadership In A VUCA World
[Firstly, a very quick description of VUCA: an acronym used to describe the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity of general conditions and situations and a term that is resonating with organisations across all industries as they try to make sense of the constantly changing challenges brought on by politics, technology, economics, society and the environment.]
It was Sunday week ago, on Mother’s Day, I was one of those ten excited women at Brisbane Airport discussing what awaited us on our holiday kayaking and camping in the Whitsunday Islands. Tranquil waters, spectacular views, white pristine beaches, accessing secluded beaches, being at one with nature and, of course, wine. What we didn’t talk about, nor did it even cross my mind, was a lesson in the importance of leadership in a VUCA world. Confused? Let me explain.
It was all planned out, 5 days of kayaking and camping on the Whitsunday Islands; two nights at Whitehaven Beach, a night at Dugong Beach, then paddle across the Whitsunday Passage to South Molle Island before returning to Shute Harbour. What could go wrong? This …. Day 2 we paddled the full length of Whitehaven Beach around the head of Tongue Point into the Bay (approximately eight kilometres), it was a little choppy, but a pleasant paddle with a small wind behind our back helping us along. Here we stopped to visit Hill Inlet Lookout, a swim at the beach and some lunch. Over the course of a couple of hours the wind picked up. It picked up to 30 knots to be exact and for those who were raised on the metric system, that’s 55.56 kph.
Well, we weren’t going to let a little wind get in our way … we jumped back into the kayaks and set off directly into that 30-knot headwind and the swell that it created. The conditions were tough and risky, even by our guides standards. When we stopped paddling to catch our breath, sip water, or wait for the team to catch up; we easily drifted back 10 metres or more. And in one and half hours we paddled a total of two kilometres. To put this into perspective, paddling the full length of Whitehaven Beach that morning took one and half hours. After two hours of getting nowhere, we headed to the beach to reassess.
PLAN B: The decision to abandon the kayaks and walk the eight kilometres along the beach back to camp was made. After carrying the kayaks up the beach into the sand dunes for protection we implemented the new plan. See the following morning the water taxi would ferry us across to Dugong Beach, so we could pick up the kayaks on the way. A small but necessary amendment to the plan, but overall no impact to the trip. Simple.
Perhaps not. The next morning, after packing up camp, we waited on the beach watching the tranquil calm waters, however after loading the water taxi and heading north towards the Kayaks the winds had reached 25 knots creating conditions that prevented the water taxi to land onto the beach. [Note: the water taxi is a ten-metre aluminium barge designed to run up onto the beach for loading and unloading.] PLAN C: We travelled south a kilometre or so to find a safer place to land to no avail, so instead with paddle in hand, one at a time, we jumped off the ramp into chest high water. Yes … we were about to paddle the kayaks back around the head of Tongue Point into the calmer waters of the Bay so the kayaks could be loaded onto the water taxi.
This may be a good time to point out this group of 10 women were all beginner kayakers aged between their mid-40’s to early 60’s. And it was this group of beginners that completed a beach launch in one and a half metre swell, paddling against 25 knot winds with the waves crashing over the top of us. And while attempting to safely stay upright, at the same time listening to our expert guides, keeping an eye on the direction of the waves, steering and navigating so we aren’t carried into the white waters or rocks, drift away from the group or worse drift too close and crash into one another. Two kilometres and two hours of enduring these conditions we, once again, entered somewhat calmer waters of the Bay, setting course for a small patch of beach in the far-left corner that was used to drop off and pick up. We still had a head wind to manage, albeit only 5-10 knots and we had almost made it to the beach when we realised the water taxi wasn’t moving. We didn’t know it at the time, but the waters were too shallow for the taxi to land – this meant a boat landing. Don’t know what a boat landing is? Neither did we but we were about the find out.
PLAN D: Reminiscent of something out of a Bond movie, the water taxi lowered its ramp and we kayaked directly up onto the taxi. Simple in calm waters, but the wind caused the water taxi to move from side to side; we had to be fast, quick and agile to ensure we were on target (think of the laughing clowns game at your local show). Well after much frustration, laughter and skill (luck) we finally had all 8 kayaks and persons successfully loaded onto the water taxi heading to our next destination – Dugong Beach.
Did I keep my sh*t together? I’d like to answer yes to that question, but the reality is my swear jar was full. In fact, all our swear jars were full, but we all bounced back quickly and got on with the job at hand. There was no other choice. And although we were all able to sit back and laugh about it, it could of all gone terribly wrong. Had just one of the kayaks capsized it would have been a very risky rescue with the wind, swell and rocks.
So, what does all this have to do with leadership and VUCA? Well in my opinion, real purposeful leadership demonstrated by everyone involved is the only reason we were successful in reaching our goal together and the only reason why we didn’t end up in a rescue situation. NOT leadership demonstrated by one person with a title, nor by one person considered the Expert; BUT leadership by every single one of us throughout the entire adventure.
PLAN E: we didn’t get to kayak across to South Molle Island or to Shute Harbour, but we had an amazing couple of days hiking and kayaking around Dugong Beach.
It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change - Charles Darwin
What did I learn about leadership in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous environment, from a week of kayaking in one and half metre swells and 30 knot winds?
Adaptability: Listen, test and adjust course – no one person will have all the right answers, be open to listening to everyone’s ideas, agree on a course of action, trial it and adjust the course if necessary AND repeat.
No room for Ego: Play to each other’s strengths – there are no heroes, put your ego aside and learn from each other. If someone has a skill you don’t, let them perform, inform, influence and lead until a new skill is required. We were only beginners, but we already knew some had a stronger capability of steering the keel than others.
Inclusion: Diversity is critical, in this environment everyone has something to offer. That one piece of information or experience that makes all the difference. It’s important to note that you can’t rely on consensus, but you must not discount any ideas or thoughts.
Resilience: Yes, it’s frustrating, infuriating even, when you are constantly changing direction, tactic, the plan and your next step - but you can’t afford to get stuck there, you will drag the rest of the team backwards. So, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep working towards that goal.
Trust: You must let go, it’s not humanly possible to control everything and everyone in this environment. Be clear on the goal and trust them to bring their best to the table at the most critical and appropriate time.
Courage and Vulnerability: It would be fair to say in a VUCA environment that no one has walked this exact same path before; you need to have the courage to try new things, listen to others, acknowledge the fear and anxiety and act anyway, be honest about your thoughts and uncertainties. All this will help guide and inform the next steps the team takes.
And last, but not least, humour: Nothing releases stress, anxiety, fear or frustration like laughter. If everything had gone to plan, how boring would that of been? No stories, no action, no fun!
I’d love you hear your thoughts.
Needless to say we have no photos of us kayaking in the one and a half metre swells, but here is one of the boat landing.
