Leading in Sacred Fog
I recently had the incredible gift of spending eight days at a retreat house by the ocean, this year marking my fifth visit in seven years. In the past, the sunrise was mainly the focus of my attention, delight, and joy. However, this year was noticeably different. While the beauty of the sunrise still nourished my soul, it was the enduring fog that captivated my attention. I believe it also serves as my greatest teacher going forward.
The pictures below were taken from the exact same view approximately 24 hours apart. The first one represents the conditions in which most prefer to lead — a clear horizon, steady waters, and a sense of the obstacles ahead. The second one represents conditions much less favorable — no clear line of sight to the destination with limited clues as to potential boulders and obstacles that lie ahead. Even familiar lighthouses formerly relied upon are obscured and completely covered in fog.
In reflecting upon these pictures, I have come to realize that it is about much more than a shift in summer weather patterns. During a prior visit in 2019, the fog made a noticeable appearance for a day or two. At the time, it served as a useful reminder that it is sometimes necessary to pause, “sit tight,” and await its lifting until the path forward becomes clear. I am convinced there is a much deeper lesson it offers in 2021: the fog is symbolic of the current landscape in which many are being called to lead. It represents the enormity of the multiple unknowns we currently face. I believe it is inviting me — and each of us — to learn to navigate within the fog, for its presence will be among us for some time.
Like many, I share the desire that vaccines and time will eventually bring us some sense of post-COVID "normalcy." However, the fog has gently yet firmly assured me this is not yet the case. Instead, it is asking that we acknowledge, engage with, and navigate its murky presence. It is inviting us to step into the unknown with intention and reverence. In some cases, it may ask us to rethink the journey ahead.
Despite the presence of this lingering fog, I do believe that our brightest days lie ahead if we become brave enough to heed the individual and collective lessons offered us in this global pandemic experience. John Dewey stated wisely that “We do not learn by experience; we learn by reflection on the experience.” I encourage all leaders to create space for this reflection, as a gateway towards the dialogue and discernment necessary to navigate these foggy times ahead.