Soaring High: Embracing the Learning Journey to Master Kite Flying and Leadership
I love watching people flying kites on the beach. In particular, I love watching children having fun flying kites on the beach. Yesterday morning I looked on while a youngster had the productive struggle of learning to fly a kite. And, by the way, I am a big believer in productive struggle as a best practice for teaching and learning. The child’s parents were helping, but I’m pretty sure they were learning to fly a kite for the first time too. Of course, all of this led to an analogy.
Just like a child learning to fly a kite, someone stepping into a leadership role often faces uncertainty and challenges initially. The child’s productive struggle—feeling the wind, adjusting the tail, experimenting with different angles—mirrors how a new leader learns through trial and error, gaining confidence and skill over time. And a cool thing happened; all of the sudden the kite caught the wind just right and it was game on. Even from a distance I could tell the young person had that “Oh crap” moment of “It’s flying, now what do I do?” It was so much fun and so inspiring to watch. By the way: I’m pretty sure Orville Wright had that same “Oh Crap! I’m flying! Now what do I do?” moment on December 17, 1903!
Both situations emphasize the importance of patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. The child never once gave up when the kite dipped or struggled against the wind; instead, I could tell they were learning to read the conditions and adapt. Similarly, a leader who admits they don’t have all the answers (practices being vulnerable) and remains open to growth can develop resilience, wisdom, and better decision-making skills.
In essence, this analogy reminds us that embracing the discomfort of not knowing everything upfront allowed both the child and us as leaders, to develop competence, confidence, and a deeper understanding of our environments. It’s about valuing the journey of learning and trusting that with effort and openness, mastery—whether in flying a kite or leading others—is achievable.
Byron's Babbles 
leave a comment