The ocean is truly remarkable.  Every time I am afforded the opportunity to spend time with it, I have and will always be amazed by the vast power, beauty, and diversity.  This particular morning, as I stood on the early sunrise beach, I thought about the calm and balanced consistency that the ocean provided.  

I listened to the consistent cadence of the water as it touched the shoreline in rhythm. The calm consistency passed on to me and I found myself in connection as my breath settled to match.  

I wondered and thought about the ecosystem of marine life abundant and active below the surface, yet the surface shared with me was a sea of glass, only interrupted by a small fish jump but never deterred or pushed away from the calm and consistent beauty. 

I reminisced about the previous day and how the ocean provided a different emotion. The strength and power it shared, and the energy was more vigorous, sharing with me a different side to it's vast array of abilities. 

I thought about how my leadership needs to be more like this ocean.  I want to be able to return the the calm consistent leader each morning.  Regardless of what is happening within me, I need to return to this focused and balanced state.  I need to breathe.  I need to find cadence, control, and consistency.  Someone needs to breathe with me, to sit with me, to feel that calm focused start to the day, so we might journey together on an adventure to build something.  What if we could return each morning to prepare ourselves for the day....I wonder what we could accomplish and share with the world?  

Lifeguarding is a thankless job.  They are there for your protection and are ready to save a life at a moment's notice.  When they do, they are commended, applauded and appreciated, but those moments come few and far between.  

I recently observed and noticed that the majority of their job is reprimanding behavior. The shrill whistle is almost always followed by some warning or order to stop someone from doing something.  They sit, look, and find the negative in hopes to change behavior. 
Imagine if the lifeguard whistle meant someone in the pool was going to receive a compliment or congratulations.  GREAT JOB AT THE WAVE POOL!!  THANK FOR WALKING!!  NICE HANDSTAND!!  How would that change the game??

When we use our leadership whistle, I hope it is for more than negative behavior changing.  I hope when we blow our whistle to grab the attention of those around us, that we offer a positive feedback loop that fosters growth and encouragement instead of scolding and negative behavior change.  Our work isn't about saving lives, but it is about changing lives...what whistle are you using?