The Work Is in the Wobble

The field of Organizational Development is rich with metaphors and analogies that help us make sense of the complex work of change and growth.

One of my favorites is Crawl, Walk, Run, which feels like a reasonable way to sequence the work of change and build momentum.

However, under the pressure of a fast-paced environment, skipping the crawl and moving straight to action can feel like the only option.

For many young leaders, there is a real tension between wanting to prove ourselves and taking the risk to slow down, ask questions, and seek guidance.

Bringing it closer to home

Allow me a small indulgence to bring this closer to home.
Recently, I have had the chance to relive my four-year-old son’s early milestones through his eyes, as he watches videos of himself as a baby learning to crawl, walk, and run.

He loves watching himself learn: the tipping, the bouncing, the figuring it out in his own way.
And in reliving those early years through his eyes, I am reminded that real growth is wobbly.

For infants and their parents, the wobble is not seen as unnatural.
It is simply part of the process and a point of pride.

What the wobble teaches us about leadership

Just like an infant learning to crawl, we grow through persistent trying, small discoveries, and gradual scaling toward bigger challenges.
Sometimes the bravest thing a leader can do is pause long enough to find stable footing.
To stay with the questions a little longer.
To name what is unclear.
To test assumptions before locking in solutions.

Crawling is not something to rush through.
It is where discovery begins.

Before we find our stride, we learn to stay steady in the wobble.
And sometimes, that is the work.