Submitted by Lieutenant Min Chong of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Police Department, a graduate of FBI National Academy Session 291.

Bruce Lee once said, “Be water, my friend.”¹ This simple quote is packed with wisdom to guide us in life and leadership. What does it mean to be like water? We can look at its properties and think of how it applies to us. Water is adaptable, persistent, humble but powerful, and nurturing. Agencies and their leaders can become more effective by adopting these characteristics.

• Adaptable: Water takes the shape of whatever container holds it; similarly, we must be flexible and open to change. It is crucial that we adapt to new challenges or unexpected disruptions. Embrace change, see it as an opportunity to gain experience, and encourage your team to do the same.
• Persistent: Although it takes the easiest path, water never stops moving forward. Over time, it can carve out canyons and shape landscapes. As leaders, we need that same persistence. Set clear goals, stay committed, and help your team keep pushing ahead, even when things get tough.
• Humble but powerful: Water does not try to dominate but finds a way to coexist while making its presence felt. Effective leadership empowers others and creates an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. By fostering a culture of collaboration and respect, we can achieve more together than we could alone.
• Nurturing: Essential for growth and survival, water nurtures and sustains life. As leaders, our job is to nurture our team members, providing them with the resources, support, and encouragement they need to thrive. Invest in their development, recognize their contributions, and create a space where they can grow and succeed.

Be like water. We can manage leadership challenges gracefully and effectively by being adaptable, persistent, humble but powerful, and nurturing. Remember that just like water, we can shape our environment and make a lasting impact.

Endnotes

¹ Shannon Lee, Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee (New York: Flatiron Books, 2020).