Leaders: Be a River, Not a Reservoir

ABGW2010The wisdom a leader receives fills them up like a bucket fills up with water.  When the bucket is full (of water or wisdom), leaders have two choices; be a reservoir and stop filling to save what has been collected for themselves, or be a river and let it flow over the lip onto the ground to make room for more to flow in. When wisdom is allowed to flow, it acts like water by nourishing everyone it touches.

Nourishing leaders create flourishing teams.

Many leaders can be successful without passing on all they know – up to a point.  Their teams will see the positive impact of a wise leader on their lives, and their work may be the best in the industry.  But as odd as this will sound, that is not enough.  Using wisdom to lead creates success while the wise leader is leading.  What becomes of the team when the wisdom of the leader leaves with the leader – the team will fail.

The truly great leader wants to leave a legacy behind.  What better legacy than passing on your wisdom to the next generation of leaders?

So leaders; be a river, not a reservoir.  How are you investing your time to ensure your legacy of wisdom?

9 Responses to Leaders: Be a River, Not a Reservoir
  1. williamjameslew

    Denis, Passing on wisdom or true insight maybe one of the most difficult, I might even go so far as too say nigh on impossible when filtered and censored barring discussion in often completed questions. I do not hold with any form of censorship in true adult society.

    • Denis G. McLaughlin

      William, one might say sharing the truth is a task not to be taken lightly and is often not the same as sharing what is easy to say.

  2. williamjameslew

    I will also go on too say that all comments or replies even those which might be deemed difficult or controversial should replied upon because there in lies wisdom. In not doing so discourse is stunted and wisdom buried. We must dare too take conflict.

  3. williamjameslew

    Again we mirror thoughts and all the more reason too find conflicting arguments too discuss if not here than beyond us.

  4. williamjameslew

    I will also go on too say that all comments or replies even those which might be deemed difficult or controversial should be replied upon because there in lies wisdom. In not doing so discourse is stunted and wisdom buried. We must dare too take conflict.

  5. Kari I. Mattila

    I like the metaphor! And I got right away an other thought of that; as a leader, be the river that gives people the guiding directions, yet giving them the freedom of deciding how they travel the river.

    • Denis G. McLaughlin

      Thank you Karl, wonderful comment.

  6. Watson Maravanyika

    It has been designed in that principle that, once the concentration is the reservoir part of then automatically that which was suppose to keep on coming will stop as there will be no room for something fresh. As a leader l agree with you on the principle of : Being a River, Not a Reservoir. Anything that is fresh gives more health than the one that is old

  7. Gardinah Muzambalika Mukuni

    It is very important that leaders pass on what they know so that their work does not end when they leave.