[Leadership Summit] The surfer’s code

Who knew surfing could teach you about leadership? Surfer champ and entrepreneur Shaun Tomson started off the Discovery Invest Leadership Summit by speaking about inspiration and inspirational leadership in a sweet and touching presentation; not really wow, but it is good to be reminded of some of the usual life lessons from a different paradigm.

1. Never turn your back on the ocean. His dad was savaged by a Zambezi shark and one of first lessons he learnt when young was exemplified by his dad. This concept relates to fact that ocean is tremendously dangerous place, but also a source of joy, so accept the challenges with a positive attitude. Sometimes you may just have to change direction.
2. Paddle around the impact zone: where the waves break is the most dangerous place for surfers. So while the ‘journey' may take a little longer, enjoy the view and be aware of the environmental dangers - it's no different in business.
3. Never fight the riptide. This is where a surfer can get sucked out to sea and drowned. Tomson describes it as a metaphor for the inexorable trends running through the environment, such as the economic downturn, etc. Work differently.
4. Take the ‘drop' with commitment: Tomson spoke about the Banzai Pipeline, a revered killer wave in Hawaii which intimidated him for years, until one time he was out there and made the commitment to challenge it and all his fear went away. "That wave changed my life. When you take that step and take the drop with commitment, it's amazing how that fear dissipates", is his lesson.
5. Always paddle back out. Even if you get dumped spectacularly in front of a whole beach of spectators, take the courage to start over when you fail. He recounted how he had wiped out in the waves and wiped out in business, coupled also with extreme success in business.
6. There will always be another wave. Even in the face of unspeakable tragedy, there is optimism, Tomson says, and it is important to keep walking down that path of life (he related the tragedy of losing his 15-year-old son a few years ago).
7. Watch out for other surfers: there's a wave spot called Mavericks where he lost a friend who drowned because, on a busy day in the water, no one looked out for him. The concept of camaraderie is so important, no matter which business you are in. Develop your networks.
8. All surfers are joined by one ocean. We're all part of the same planet, experience the same things.
9. Catch a wave every day, even in your mind: dream.
10. Honour the sport of kings: act with ethics and integrity
11. Ride and don't paddle to the shore. Finish what you start.
12. ‘Pass on the stoke'. Do good, give back.

Basic common sense. If this grabs you, he also has a book out – launching in South Africa this month.

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