There were no lifeguards or rescue ropes on the beach that day, so the police sent for a rescue boat. The situation was becoming dire as the stranded swimmers were exhausted. Let me tell you the story of the swimmer Jessica Mae Simmons who showed inspired leadership in July 2017.
Last July, on Panama City Beach, Florida, Robertal Usery saw her two boys struggling to keep afloat about 90 m out into the ocean1. They had been caught in a strong current and were being carried out to sea. Beachgoers sprang into action to try to rescue them but were quickly caught in the current, too. Soon nine people were struggling for their lives in the water. There were no lifeguards or rescue ropes on the beach that day, so the police sent for a rescue boat, but the situation was becoming dire as the stranded swimmers were exhausted, and their heads were slipping under the water. One of the beachgoers was Jessica Mae Simmons. She was a trained swimmer and could hold her breath with ease.
She knew she could help in a specific way but needed to figure out how to get around the current to reach the sinking swimmers. Jessica and her husband then had the idea to form a human chain and quickly gathered 80 people on the beach to help. They linked arms and marched into the ocean while Jessica and her husband grabbed their boogie boards and swam down the chain. When she reached one of the swimmers, she supported them on the boogie board and ferried them back to the human chain. All the swimmers were rescued because one couple could see a different solution and sprang into action! Jessica later wrote, "To see people from different races and genders come into action to help total strangers was absolutely amazing to see!" Look at the video of that incredible moment (left page).
On the beach that day, Jessica was in tune with her inner voice. Not only did she have the strength from experience and hard work to swim and rescue the swimmers, but she also could see a different approach and solution to the urgent problem at hand. This ability to innovate and see different approaches, applications, and solutions is a spiritual gift supported by experience2. As leaders, we often focus on education, training, even self-help books, to expand our leadership ability, but the core skills of the best leaders come from specific life experience and are spirit connected. If we are in tune, our unique talents and life experience can inspire our approach and solutions as we lead, just as Jessica was inspired to see a different answer.
Try this simple exercise to be an inspired leader: 1. Write down three experiences that have given you a special skill, talent, or life lesson. 2. Consider and write the needs of your organization or family. 3. Determine from step 1 and 2 where your skills and experience can assist and complement special needs from the group you are leading.
As you align your skills with the needs, you will feel impressions and inspiration to expand your ability to lead in new ways. Your life story is no accident! Your leadership is needed in ways that only you can provide. Get out there and be inspired!
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