Aspiration and Inspiration: The Breath of Leadership

During the heart of the pandemic, actor/writer Scott Atkinson, asked himself a profound question: “If I were to die tomorrow, what would I regret not doing?” Secluded and searching, as many were, he found his answer on the horizon near his home in Half Moon Bay, California—home of the legendary Mavericks waves, towering up to 60 feet. Gazing at the ocean’s raw power, Scott decided, “I want to ride those waves.”

Thus began his journey to become a big-wave surfer. Through grueling training and learning to hold his breath for an astonishing four minutes, Scott pursued his aspiration. Yet, his true inspiration lay not in the thrill but in his wife and two young children. “It was never about the adrenaline rush,” he said. “The journey was about understanding the ocean—and ultimately, about making it home safely.” A year later, driven by this purpose, Scott rode his first Mavericks wave.

This story illustrates a powerful truth for leaders: aspiration and inspiration are two sides of the same coin. Aspiration comes from within, often focused on personal goals. Inspiration, however, is about others—breathing life into those around us. Like inhaling and exhaling, these forces are linked. We cannot give what out we have not first taken in.

The word “inspiration” derives from the Latin inspirare, meaning “to breathe.” Just as breathing is automatic, leadership requires conscious effort to inspire. Consider a personal lesson from my youth, where I witnessed a young teen caught in a riptide while swimming in open water. Their aspiration to swim had outpaced their experience, and I watched them pulled farther from shore. Exhausted and sinking, that kid was saved by an older teenager who appeared beside them, shouting, “You need to swim the other way! Come on, follow me!” His actions, not just his words, brought the young teen to safety. Words motivate, but actions inspire.

Leadership is not an unconscious act. It demands we balance our aspirations with the responsibility to inspire others. Like Scott, who trained relentlessly but was driven by his family, or the swimmer who dove in to guide that young teen, true leaders act with purpose. We cannot simply declare ourselves inspiring, any more than we can decide to hold our breath for four minutes without practice.

As leaders, let’s remember: our aspirations fuel our growth, but our inspirations lift others. Every breath we take is a chance to lead with intention, ensuring our actions ripple outward, guiding those around us to shore.

How are you balancing aspiration and inspiration in your leadership journey? Share your thoughts at www.dontwaitleadnow.com.

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