What a Crane on the Beach Taught Me About Leadership

Written by cfcadmin

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Career | Corporate Culture | leadership | personal growth | Professional Development | workplace culture

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July 12, 2025

This morning, something unusual happened.

As I walked along the beach, a crane appeared beside me. No flapping. No noise. Just calm, deliberate steps matching my pace stride for stride.

At first, I smiled at the serenity of the moment. But the longer it walked with me, the more I realized this graceful bird had something to teach me, something every leader needs to hear.

Leadership Isn’t a Race—It’s a Walk

The crane didn’t rush. It didn’t dart ahead or lag behind. It simply moved with quiet confidence.

That’s the kind of leadership that builds strong cultures; leaders who show up consistently, stay present, and walk beside their teams. Leadership doesn’t always mean being out front. Sometimes the most powerful act is walking with your people.

We talk about strategy, growth, and innovation, but culture is often built in these “walking beside” moments. When a leader slows down long enough to listen, encourage, and simply be present, it sends a powerful message: You matter. We’re in this together.

Leave Light Footprints—but Make Them Count

What struck me most was how the crane moved. It was graceful and almost silent, yet its presence was unforgettable.

That’s the kind of impact I strive to have as a leader. Not through force or noise, but through influence and integrity. Strong cultures aren’t shaped by volume; they’re shaped by intention. Leaders who make people feel seen, valued, and supported leave a mark that lasts long after they’ve passed through.

Awareness Over Alarm

Cranes are naturally observant creatures. They don’t react to every movement. They watch. They listen. They adapt without panic. In leadership, awareness is everything.

Great leaders aren’t reactive; they’re responsive. They don’t operate from fear, but from grounded perspective. They tune in to what’s happening with their teams, their customers, and their environment and they make decisions from a place of clarity. Building a strong culture requires that same thoughtful awareness, especially when navigating change.

Stillness Has Power

At one point, the crane stopped completely… motionless, yet completely attuned to its surroundings. And it reminded me that stillness isn’t the absence of leadership, it’s a form of it.

Sometimes our biggest impact doesn’t come from what we say or do but from the space we create for others to reflect, reset, or rise. A leader who knows when to pause, listen, or let others step forward shows incredible strength. In a culture where productivity is often measured by motion, stillness can be the boldest move of all.

Lasting Culture Takes Time

In many cultures, cranes are symbols of harmony, longevity, and peace. That’s no accident. They represent what endures.

Quick wins are great, but sustainable culture requires patience. It’s nurtured through trust, consistency, and connection. Just like the crane’s journey across the shoreline, leadership is often about small, intentional steps that create long-term impact. If we want cultures that last, we have to lead with the long game in mind.

So here’s your leadership challenge today:

Slow down. Walk beside your team, not just in front of them. Lead with presence, not pressure. And above all—leave footprints that matter.

Sometimes your best leadership lesson might come from a quiet morning walk and a bird that never said a word but somehow spoke volumes.

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