Give People Turns at the Front of the Boat

By Greg Fullerton

Last year I went fly fishing in Jackson Hole with my girlfriend Kim.

Our guide told us that the person in front of the boat would catch the most fish.

I asked Kim if she wanted the front, but she said, “No, you go ahead.”

So we spent the morning fishing. By the time we stopped for lunch, I’d caught 7 or 8 fish, but Kim hadn’t caught any.

After lunch we got back in the boat and I asked Kim again if she wanted the front. Again, she declined.

After about an hour I had caught a few more fish. Suddenly, from the back of the boat Kim blurted, “Get the hell out of the front! I want to get up there and catch some fish!”

I learned a few lessons from that simple experience.

For one, you can’t always be at the front of the “boat.”

This can sometimes be hard for natural leaders, the ones who always seem to be at the front of the room and in the spotlight.

As leaders, we need to be conscious about providing opportunities for other people to shine. We need to learn to take turns.

Some may fight to be in front because of a competitive nature fueled by a scarcity mindset. We think there are only so much “fish” to catch, and we claw our way to the best position to catch those few fish.

But abundance is the nature of the universe. We can share without worrying that we’ll run out of opportunities and resources. In fact, those who share the most always prosper the most.

And what about the people stuck at the back of the “boat”? What lessons can they draw from this story?

First of all, you need to learn how to appropriately assert yourself.

Kim took the back because she was being gracious, but after a time she realized she wasn’t having very much fun. Her needs weren’t being met, so she asserted herself and had a much better time.

Meekness is often taken too far and becomes a weakness for people. They never discover and share their talents because they don’t want to draw attention to themselves or seem selfish.

This is also evidence of a scarcity mindset, but in reverse. Understand that there are plenty of resources and opportunities. You can assert yourself without worrying that others will do without.

Fear is probably more common that misguided meekness. We know that good opportunities await us if we can just learn to be more assertive and be better leaders, but we hold back because of fear.

We’re afraid of being criticized. We’re afraid of failing. We’re afraid of looking stupid. We’re afraid of letting people down. We’re afraid of blowing opportunities.

But you can’t catch any fish unless you learn how to position yourself right and keep casting. Even if your “line” gets stuck in bushes, or you fall into the water, or no fish seem to be biting. Just keep on casting long enough and you’re bound to catch fish.

So if you find yourself at the front of the boat often, it may be time to give someone else a chance. And if you haven’t yet had a turn at the front, assert yourself. Push through your fears and seize the day.

With good leadership from the front and courage from the back, we can all create and share abundant opportunities.