The Rocks we Rely on: Leadership Lessons from Big Sur
The day was windy. I sat tucked into a nook in the hillside, sheltered from most of the wind as I gazed out at the nearby rock formations. Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur offers intriguing views of large rock formations just off the shoreline. One features a keyhole carved into the rock. Each turn of the tide brings a fresh surge of water through the opening. It’s mesmerizing, especially on a warm day with the wind at your back.
“What are you up to over there?” my husband asks.
“Nothing. Thinking about rocks,” I replied. Used to this, he waited for me to go on. “People use a lot of rock metaphors,” I explained. “’This person is my rock,’ or, ‘Between a rock and a hard place.’ Why? Is it because we need things in our lives that are unchanging?” I asked.
I’d been to this exact spot seven years ago. The rock formations looked the same. Beautiful, and unchanging.
I thought about what had changed for me since the last time I was on this beach, staring at these rocks. Since then, I’ve launched Intrinsic. My kids have grown and moved on to middle and high school. I’m physically stronger than ever, but have many more aches and pains. I’m more fulfilled.
People change. Even the sand, the sea and the plants change. Yet we crave elements of our lives and our work that are like rocks. We need parts that are steadfast and predictable. Unchanging.
Back at home, I’m still thinking about which elements of my life and my work are rock-like.
This is an interesting question for leaders, because it’s another way to think about your guiding principles. For the most part, change is positive. It’s a natural part of progress. However, without a few rocks in place, change can be haphazard and take you in directions you didn’t intend. There’s a balance to strike between being adaptable and being grounded in principles. It starts with considering this question: What is the rock in your life? In your work?
For the work I do, it’s building connection. This is my rock. Over the years, the way I’ve created shared connection and community has changed. I create new services. I take on new clients. Connection is always central to what I do. This rock helps keep me focused on what’s most important and shapes my decision-making. It’s a guiding principle for Intrinsic.
You may not spend much time philosophizing about rock metaphors. I don’t blame you! However, it is a great idea to take a look at your guiding principles every few years and share them with your family, friends, and colleagues. Here are some questions to help guide you.
What principles serve as the unchanging “rocks” in your leadership?
In what ways have you adapted while staying true to your core principles?
Which aspects of your work are foundational, and which are open to transformation?
When faced with change, what guides your decision-making to ensure progress aligns with my purpose?
How do you communicate you guiding principles to those you lead, and how often do you revisit them?
What do you want your legacy as a leader to be, and how are your actions today shaping that future?
Life will keep shifting around you. When you know what’s rock-solid in your life, you can navigate change with confidence and purpose. Take the time to name those enduring principles. They’re not just anchors; they’re the steady forces that help you grow, lead, and leave a legacy that lasts.
Contact me directly to discuss how professional coaching can shape and clarify your principles and leadership legacy.
