Leading by J Strokes
Leaders, like the person in the back of a canoe, are responsible for steering the boat.
Novice canoers steer by switching their oars from one side to the other. This tactic adjusts the direction of the canoe, keeping the boat aimed toward the destination. But it expends a lot of energy. In essence, the boat is steered to the right, and then to the left, and again to the right endlessly.
All too often leadership in organizations steers by switching directions rapidly. Financial reports cause a flurry of activities adjusting operations only to either under or over correct as evidenced by the following month’s data. The “crisis of the day” results in a new initiative, layered upon the last initiative, ultimately overloading employees and the organization with too much to attend to and a complete loss of focus.
A more experienced canoer uses a variety of strokes to keep the boat heading in the right direction without the expenditure of energy and loss of forward momentum that occurs when switching sides repeatedly. They often use a j-stroke, subtly adjusting for the natural pull of the boat. This minor twist realigns the canoe, keeping forward momentum heading in the right direction. The person in the front of the canoe rarely even notices that the stroke in the back is different.
Certainly, in the middle of heavy winds or rough water, more aggressive paddling is necessary. Think of how we needed to pivot — repeatedly — at the start of the pandemic. But as the water settles, as the winds abate, as we get stronger and more adept, minor, subtle nudging adjustment is what leadership is all about.
About the Authors
Pam Thompson MS, RN, FAAN is the CEO Emeritus of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, formerly AONE. During the same time, 2000–2016, she was the Senior VP of Nursing for the American Hospital Association. After retiring in 2017, she now serves as a healthcare consultant and volunteer board member and trustee for several healthcare entities.
Marla Weston PhD, RN, FAAN is the past CEO of the American Nurses Association Enterprise which included the American Nurses Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center and American Nurses Foundation, serving from 2009 to 2018. She now is a consultant and facilitator in leadership development, well-being, organizational strategy and growth, and future trends.
