Learning About Leadership From a Canoe Trip

My View

On a brilliant summer day, our school and district leaders climbed aboard two graceful 31-foot Nootka canoes in Pender Harbour on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in British Columbia, Canada. Two hours later, the team gathered in a circle to share key lessons about the journey and how it connects to leadership.

I came away with these three messages from the experience. 

Be positive

Negative energy has no place in the canoe. The whole canoe senses a pessimistic or gloomy paddler. Interpersonal conflict, anger, sadness or frustration will slow and divert the canoe. The leader may very well provide time for a detour to shore to find solutions in the interest of the longer journey. This is time well-spent.

A paddler who is experiencing a rough time should never be thrown overboard for expediency if we are to honestly value all members of the team. A skilled leader watches, listens and acts to support and protect human emotions.

Share leadership

The leader in the canoe watches from the stern, scanning for dangers well ahead and always searching for the best route forward. The leader develops the trip plan with the paddlers, checks the weather in advance and loads a balanced and safe canoe. He or she carefully monitors the canoe’s progress with real-time data, using a thorough knowledge of the area to efficiently travel across the water. The trip leader takes a wide view, plans ahead and makes sure everyone is safe.

At times, the route is narrow and shallow. Barnacle-encrusted rocks rise unexpectedly from the ocean floor, threatening to damage the canoe and jeopardize the journey. At this time, the paddler in the bow becomes the leader. He or she adjusts moment by moment to ensure the canoe carefully advances through the dangerous waters. The speed is much reduced as the canoe slips through the danger and emerges safely back into deep water.

Constant and positive communication with the stern paddler ensures all paddlers know what is required and how to support the leadership in the bow. The paddler in the front seat is the right leader when danger is near and requires specialized local knowledge and skill.

Because school and district leaders have changing roles, we can be at times in the stern leading with a wide view, in the bow with a tight view on nearby challenges or in the middle to provide the collective strength to move us all forward under the leadership of others.

Mentor colleagues

In the canoe, as in a school or district, people bring a range of experience and background. Paddlers with less experience bring enthusiasm and a keen desire to learn. Paddlers with more experience and well-honed skills teach and encourage others to take on their own leadership positions as their skills develop.

A culture of mentorship exists on the journey and there is laughter, encouragement and support for each other. Regardless of each person’s experience or skill level, constant communication in the canoe keeps the paddles moving in harmony and forward across the waves.

Marine Culture

The aboriginal people of the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia and Alaska developed leadership skills for a thriving marine culture that continues to endure in spite of immense historical hardships.

Successful school and district leaders should follow the lead of our aboriginal counterparts. Move through the school year with an optimistic and supportive approach to the challenges of the voyage. Share leadership opportunities with fellow paddlers. Encourage newer leaders by sharing skills and knowledge generously.

As our educational journey continues, we would all do well to remember the leadership teachings of the canoe.