ARTICLE
Ditch the Fear, Embrace The Magic: Leadership Lessons From A 4- And 5-Year-Old
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Updated - 02/27/2025
Leadership lessons are everywhere—sometimes even in a crowded YMCA pool. Recently, I started teaching my grandnieces, Vaitea (5) and Hoʻolai (4), how to swim. My sister Mahealani and my niece Hepua were in the water with us, surrounded by kids and parents splashing around. The girls were pumped. I had my tried-and-true lesson plan ready to go.
Five minutes in, I realized I had completely underestimated them.
They weren’t just eager; they were unstoppable. So, I did what any experienced leader (or overwhelmed swim teacher) would do—I scrapped the plan and went with the flow. By the end of that first lesson, they had made incredible progress. Determined to get ahead of them the next time, I prepped meticulously, loaded the lesson with skill-building drills, and checked all the traditional boxes.
Same result. They blew right past what I had planned. Again.
I was baffled. Why was this happening? I had taught hundreds of people to swim—kids, adults, and everyone in between—and this was new. Then, on the drive home, it hit me.
Here’s what my 4- and 5-year-old nieces reminded me about leadership: when someone isn’t afraid, trusts the person guiding them, and is eager to learn, magic happens.
The leadership takeaway: Fear is the real barrier
How often do we check in with our teams to see if fear is holding them back? The ‘cave of fear’ is real—it’s easier to hide there than to step into the unknown. Leaders need to help people move past fear and into the magic zone where real growth happens.
Trust unlocks potential
Vaitea and Hoʻolai trust me completely. They know I have their best interests at heart. Does your team trust you? Do they believe you’re looking out for them—or do they see you as more focused on your own agenda, reputation, or bottom line?
People can tell when leaders are in it for themselves. And when they sense that? No trust. No risk-taking. No magic.
Enthusiasm is contagious
These girls were practically vibrating with excitement to learn. When was the last time you saw your team that eager? Do they bring that wide-eyed energy to meetings, projects, and learning opportunities? If not, ask yourself: what kind of environment am I creating?
Great leaders build spaces where curiosity thrives, where people feel safe enough to take big leaps, and where learning is something to look forward to—not just another checkbox.
If you need help developing your leadership skills or strengthening your team culture, reach out to our team at Idaho Partners for Good. Because when trust replaces fear, and enthusiasm leads the way, incredible things happen.
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