The suspense built as I struggled up
the three foot high steps to the peak of the water slide dominating the Deerhurst
Resort waterfront. Family on shore were watching and speculating if I would
have the nerve to drop down the speedy, steep 20 foot slide and plough into the
unseasonably cold water.
As I sat on the ledge at the top, Brooke, my seven year old granddaughter, sidled up to me. She had already been
up and down many times. It was easy for her to get up the slide. She only had to
pull 40 pounds up and over each step I had to pull 200 pounds. Not so
easy. I was happy just to get to the top. I couldn't have done it two years ago
but have been working out to build my strength. For golf. Not for water
slides.
I wasn't ready to take off. Let's say I
have a fear of heights. I don't mind being there. I've done my share of ledge
walking over the years. It's the crash landing I fear. Elevators are no
problem. Open air below the top of the water slide was intimidating.
Brooke sensed my anxiety. I had always
supported her risk taking. We had a bit of a gym set up in our basement where I
encouraged her tumbling. Now it was her turn to get me down from the ledge and
into the water.
"You can do hard and scary
things". I wonder where she had heard that. "Just grab my hand and
we'll go together". I felt her impatience with my fear. Inherited from my
wife. And her supportive nature. Inherited from me.
Off we went. Crash. Bang. Boom. I was
ready to go again.
About an hour later it was time for me
to say goodbye to Brooke. She was off to overnight camp for the first time, for
a month.
Me: "It's time to say goodbye
honey. Do you want a simple goodbye or a lecture?"
Brooke: "Uh. Okay, I'll take the
lecture".
Me: I was really impressed with the
leadership qualities you showed up on the waterslide. You knew I was scared. You
encouraged me. You held my hand. You helped me go outside of my comfort zone to
achieve something really cool. You did what leaders do. You've probably seen
your teachers do it. And now at camp your counsellors will want to lead you to
try new things and to get good at them, like canoeing. I hope you'll see their
leadership and grow from it just as I grew from yours."
I was on a roll but I stopped there
because she looked a little bored and was itching to get on with her life. We
hugged and off she went.
Brooke taught me that the combination
of leadership skills and subject matter expertise is a potent formulation.
Anyone can do hard and scary things if they're willing to listen to someone with
'know how'. No matter who that person is.
July 29, 2019
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