Distinctions

Distinctions separate the novice from the expert; the beginner from the experienced. Our distinctions in life deepen us and they assign levels of excellence that often separate us from others, while connecting us with those who share the same. People develop distinctions with food, art, music and all types of activities and knowledge areas. A few months ago on a Saturday I was channel surfing and came across a movie from 1992, A River Runs Through It. It’s the true story of two sons and their minister father living in Montana. They had a ritual to go fly fishing that bound them together as family despite their many differences. One critic loved the movie and its representation of fly fishing. He described fly fishing as not just casting off your line, hoping for the best. You have to be reflective as you scan the water and notice how it flows. You have to find the best point on the surface for your fly to land. You have to be attuned, as fly fishing is, in every essence, an art form.

I googled imitation flies and found out there are thousands of them. There are dry flies, wet flies, nymph flies, terrestrial flies (scary), etc. Who knew fish could be so picky? People who expertly fly fishing get this. They understand the importance of the water, fish, flies, equipment and conditions. They have distinctions.

I cannot think of a more important place to have distinctions than in leadership. If fish, who seem pretty one-dimensional to me, require so much attention, why would we not put the same time and attention on the people of our teams? There is a leadership theory called the Path-Goal theory that first appeared in the 1970s. The research suggested that effective leaders understood not just the distinctions of the work that needed to be performed but also the characteristics of their team members. From those characteristics and distinctions the leader could adjust their behaviors to be directive, supportive, participative or achievement-oriented. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach and as the work fluctuates and the team shifts, the leadership adjusts as well.

However, from where I sit, I often see leaders using a fly fishing approach that is ineffective. They move fast like an imitation fly skipping the surface of the water, getting cast out, over and over. They aren’t slowing down to fish deep and they aren’t necessarily noticing the distinctions of their environment to reflect on what may need to change in their approach. A leader’s river, landscape, or whatever metaphor they choose to use, must always be scanned or they won’t be attuned to their own leadership. Sometimes slowing down to notice is a critical first step.

I will never have distinctions specific to fly fishing. I really only watched the movie because Brad Pitt was in it. However, as a leadership coach, my profession requires me to have certain distinctions around coaching and leadership or I lose my relevance and credibility. This requires me to stay in constant learning with peers and professional groups to help me deepen my practice and my distinctions.

What distinctions do you need to further refine in your professional role? How will you start?