Truly Killer Whales
Since May 2020, sailors have been piloting their crafts with fear and trepidation off the Iberian coast of Europe. For the past three years, orcas, also known as killer whales, have been periodically attacking boats. Fortunately no humans have been harmed but these situations are escalating at an alarming rate. The question is why and what does it mean to us as leaders?
The following are five facts about leadership pain we learn from the increasing attacks of killer whales on European boats:
The Unexpected Consequences Of Pain
The 1977 movie Orca tells the story of a killer whale terrorizing a northern fishing village. This is the result of one of the town’s fisherman who brutally slaughtered the killer whale’s family. The surviving orca then followed the ship back to the village causing an unfortunate chain of events as the grieving animal sought revenge.
The unexpected consequences of the fisherman’s decision and the pain he caused was the town’s people suffered economically because the killer whale scared off all the fish. There was also significant property damage as the orca sank countless homes anchored on stilts at the edge of the ocean. Finally, there was the tragic loss of life for the family and friends of the fisherman.
Could a similar situation one day play out in the waters of the Iberian coast?
For more on the the principle of unexpected consequences, read The Cobra Effect: How Leaders Can Avoid Unnecessary Bad Decisions or Dr. Sam Chand’s definitive book on the topic Leadership Pain: The Classroom For Growth.
Hurt Leaders Hurt Their People
As told in this LiveScience.com article, experts believe a female orca experienced “a critical moment of agony.” This was perhaps an accidental collision with a boat or getting trapped during illegal fishing. In any event, significant pain and suffering occurred.
Alfredo Lopez Fernandez, a biologist at the University of Aveiro in Portugal and member of the Atlantic Orca Working Group, said, “That traumatized orca is the one that started this behavior of physical contact with the boat.”
Being hurt often causes leaders to create unhealthy conflict, lash out in anger, harm trust, damage relationships, make rash and reckless decisions, and inflict pain on others.
Orcas are attacking perfectly harmless boats. How often do leaders disrupt completely benign situations because of unresolved pain? Sadly, more often than you would think.
Pain Can Unexpectedly Come In An Instant
As mentioned above, pain came into the orca’s life in an instant, “a critical moment of agony.” As leaders, we can also experience critical moments of agony. This can be the result of a market reality, employee issue, or some other item completely out of our control. But our days can change in an instant.
Pain Can Pass On From Generation To Generation
Leaders have a responsibility to invest in the next generation and model proper behaviors for those coming behind them. Sometimes, leaders pervert this principle and pass on unhealthy behaviors.
On May 2, six orcas attacked a vessel in the Straight of Gibraltar. Greg Blackburn who was aboard the craft observed a mother whale teaching her calf how to ram the ship’s rudder. He said, “It was definitely some form of education, teaching going on.”
Two days later on May 4, three orcas attacked a boat skippered by Werner Schaufelberger. Schaufelberger also noticed the modeled behavior. He said, “The two little orcas observed the bigger one’s technique and, with a slight run-up, they too slammed into the boat.”
Imitation is happening at an elite level in this orca populations, unfortunately not for good.
The Multiplicative Power Of Leaders
A leader’s influence can spread like wildfire throughout an organization and completely alter its culture. This power of imitation is happening in the waters of the Straight of Gibraltar.
It appears trauma triggered a defense mechanism in a single female killer whale causing her to lash out in a dangerous manner. She then began teaching those behaviors to her calves. This is where it gets interesting.
Because killer whales are such social animals, other orcas in the area are viewing this behavior as normative and advantageous and have began to follow suit.
Conclusion
All leaders have experienced pain. The question becomes what will we do with it?
A female orca off the Iberian coast experienced significant trauma. She then began attacking boats and taught her calves to do the same. Her influence then spread to killer whales throughout the region who have mimicked her behavior.
As leaders and people of influence, we will use our past pain to harm others or leverage it to serve others. The choice is ours.
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