Reader,

Think about a big project that is going to get you from “here” to “there.” Let’s assume you have the money and the talent to make it happen.

Now think about your most precious and non-renewable resource -- time.

A Metaphor: The River of Time

We often think and write about “the” past, or “the” future as a thing. But time is not static; it flows minute-by-minute, day-by-day, and week-by-week. Time is a river. Today is yesterday’s tomorrow and the past is always influencing today.

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus (~500 BC) observed that you never step in the same river twice as it’s not the same river (the water has moved downstream) and you are not the same person (you are, at least, a bit older.) Likewise, time flows and you change. You have to deal with the here and now of the river. It’s different than it was yesterday and will not be the same tomorrow.

Think of this in the context of a person who is trying to cross the river of time from the “as-is” shore of today to the “to-be” shore of tomorrow. It’s the two banks of a river that you are trying to cross. And the river you are trying to cross has a variety of conditions:

• Calm or swift
• Shallow or deep
• Clear or muddy
• Cold or temperate
• Sandy bottom or rocky
• Safe or toxic
• Wide or narrow

If the river is calm, shallow, clear, temperate, sandy, and safe you just walk to the other side, even if it’s wide or narrow. If any of the other descriptors is otherwise, you make adjustments.

Swift and deep – You sense the danger and string a rope, build a bridge, or don’t even try.

Muddy – You’re not sure, so you tread slowly.

Cold and wide – Trying to cross will exhaust you. Maybe a wetsuit is in order.

Rocky bottom – You make sure to wear something on your feet.

Swift and rocky? You’re likely in whitewater and you cannot cross here. You need to go upstream, get in a raft, and hope you can land on the other side after a wild ride.

And what’s upstream? Pristine mountain snow or a chemical plant using the river as a sewer? Is it running through a glen or a burn area?

You must also pay attention to the big picture and consequences of a mistake. If you slip and fall, where will the river take you? Will you float gently downstream, or will you plunge over a waterfall?

In other words, you pay attention to the conditions and the consequences of your actions. Only a fool would simply look to the other side and start walking. Moving water is much more than “just” moving water.

You and a real river

You have choices.

You can stand on a bluff and simply watch it flow. It may be beautiful and majestic, or it may look polluted and dangerous. You’re an observer.

You can stand on the edge and sense its power. You may enjoy the spray and sound, or you may be troubled by the scum and stench. You’re a student.

You can get in the water and cross it. You may take off your shoes and enjoy the feel of sand and coolness or you may be taking your life in your hands. You’re a participant.

An so it is with the river of time

Consider strategy as the allocation of scarce resources. You may have plenty of money and a talented workforce, but you cannot buy or borrow time. You have as much time as any other person or organization.

And time also comes with conditions and consequences.

Like a physical river, the river of time can be:

• Calm or swift – We all know that “time flies” during a crisis and that we ignore its progressions when “times are good.” During times of crisis, we need to know how to respond, as if in an ambush. During the good times, we need to look into the future and anticipate.
• Shallow or deep – Self-centered or egotistical leaders look into the river and only see their reflection, like Narcissus. Reflective leaders look into the river and see the depth of their actions and the actions of others.
• Clear or muddy – I experienced “clear times” during the 1950s but, beginning with the social upheaval of the Vietnam War, times have become muddier. Here in the 2020s the waters of time have been muddied with political, social, and business upheavals.
• Cold or temperate – Will the journey refresh you or exhaust you? Can you even make it across?
• Sandy bottom or rocky – Will you enjoy the journey to tomorrow, or must you protect yourself?
• Safe or toxic – Are you dealing with truth or lies?
• Wide or narrow – Is the journey even attainable? Is the river of time a barrier?

You and the river of time

As with the physical river, you have options. You can be an observer, a student, or a participant. You can watch. Or you can study. Or you can engage in your own river of time. Watching and studying may be enjoyable, but only engagement makes you part of the adventure.

Again, it’s your choice.

Crossing the river? You need an integrated set of skills

My metaphor of crossing a river is meant to put the adventure of leadership in context. Whether you are a novice or an expert, young or old, fearful or fearless, you have to bring yourself and your team from today to the bank on the other side – tomorrow.

In doing so you need to possess and use a comprehensive, integrated set of skills.

• You must learn from the past. Who has succeeded or failed before you? Why is the river in the condition it’s in? What wisdom will be an aid? What hard-earned expertise is irrelevant?
• You must deal with today. Challenges show themselves as both problems and opportunities that must be addressed as you prepare to cross the river.
• You must prepare for tomorrow. Explorers equip themselves with both specific- and general-purpose tools. What do you need to start the journey? What might you need to get to the far bank? What might happen in the middle of the river, and will you be ready?

Are you ready?

The skills, experiences and knowledge that got you to today may, or may not, get you to tomorrow. Consider your personal resources before you start across and what you have to learn along the way.

Cheers,

Bill