Surfing: To Stay the Course and Keep Motivated

I have just returned from my summer break to find London in a tense atmosphere. A major underground strike, a government reshuffle, and the national debt dominating conversations everywhere. Across the channel, my own country is paralysed by a complete standstill following the fall – and almost immediate replacement – of the government. And all of this plays out against a global geopolitical backdrop that remains uncertain and difficult.

How can we maintain morale and motivation in such conditions – when running a business, leading teams, and trying to rally resources around ambitious technological projects?

This summer, I spent a lot of time surfing. Out there on the waves, I found lessons that feel just as relevant in leadership as they do in sports:

1. Nurture the Desire:
In surfing, it all starts with wanting to do it. You weigh the pros and cons, accept the effort required, and commit to the challenge for the joy of the ride. Leadership is no different: you need a vision you believe in, the conviction to pursue it, and the ability to share it in a way that inspires others – without losing flexibility or falling into dogma.

2. Prepare and Know Your Terrain:
In surfing, preparation is vital: the right equipment, a board that is ready, and most importantly, a spot and weather conditions that match your abilities. Knowing your terrain helps you decide where to paddle, where to catch the waves, and how to reach the right position. In business, this is strategy: defining the path to your vision, choosing the resources to mobilise, and timing your moves with both ambition and realism.

3. Paddle Out Against the Waves:
From the shore, paddling out looks easy. In reality, it is the hardest part. You need to judge the right moment, find your entry point, push against the current, and face waves that catch you off guard – all while conserving your energy for when it counts. In business, this is execution: bringing strategy to life, mobilising talent, and navigating both tailwinds and headwinds – competition, surprises, setbacks – while staying on course.

4. Wait for the Right Wave:
Reaching the line-up is only the beginning. Then comes patience: scanning the swell, reading its rhythm, anticipating other surfers’ moves, and managing frustration while staying focused. When the right wave comes, you must be ready – position, paddle, commit, and stand up at the right moment. In business, the rhythm is the same: after preparation and persistence – building partnerships, supporting your team, facing rejection – you wait for the opportunity that aligns. And when it arrives, you seize it with full commitment.

5. Enjoy the Ride, Then Go Again:
The thrill of surfing is in the ride. Carving left or right, balancing speed and control, sometimes falling, sometimes not – but always learning. Business has the same joy. When momentum comes, celebrate it, savour it, and keep your balance. And then – start again.

Surfing taught me that leadership, like the ocean, demands resilience, patience, and the ability to read and ride the waves. The conditions are never perfect. But with preparation, vision, and persistence, there are always new waves to catch.

What waves are you riding this season?