Being Salmon: A Lesson on Leadership

What comes to mind when you think of a salmon? Is it just about swimming upstream and making bold leaps without looking back? Let’s explore this thought more deeply.

Back in the late 2000s, when cable TV and quality content were still a thing, we—as kids—had the privilege of watching Nat Geo and Animal Planet. I distinctly remember an episode on Nat Geo about salmon. These remarkable creatures swim upstream for a simple yet profound reason: it’s part of their reproductive cycle.

Salmon are born in freshwater rivers, spend most of their lives in the ocean, and then return to their birthplace to lay eggs—ensuring the survival of their progeny.

As leaders—whether in companies or life—we are often called to swim upstream. This path can be especially difficult when it challenges the core values and direction of your organization or stakeholders. But it is in these moments that true leadership is defined.

Here are four reasons why you should be a leader who swims upstream:

1. It brings out the best in you: Swimming upstream isn’t just difficult—it’s painful. But growth demands discomfort. As a leader, you must embrace the pain to unlock your potential. As Neale Donald Walsch said,

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

2. It drives intentional growth: Leadership growth doesn’t happen by accident. You have to choose to grow. It’s tempting to drift with the current, but meaningful progress requires effort. As John Maxwell explains in his Law of the Trade-Off:

“You have to give up to grow up.”

3. It keeps you anchored to your values: Your core values and belief systems are non-negotiable. Staying true to them often means swimming against the current—resisting negativity, office politics, and peer pressure. Upholding your principles, even when it’s hard, is the true mark of integrity.

4. It creates lasting impact: When a leader chooses to go against the current for the sake of their team, it builds trust, loyalty, and unity. This kind of leadership leaves a legacy—one that your team will remember and carry with them throughout their lives.

In the end, your success as a leader will depend on the path you choose to take. Will you follow the familiar, well-trodden route, or will you take the road less traveled—the upstream journey that leads to real growth and purpose?

The choice is yours.