The column "Leadership Whiteboard" provides a short visual leadership coaching moment. It introduces and explains a new sketch in each issue, provides leadership coaching for further development, and shares a leadership quote and recommended book.
Leadership Whiteboard | The Shallow End
Have you ever noticed the shallow end of the pool is the noisiest place? Kids splash, yell, and demand attention, while the deep end is quieter, calmer, and filled with swimmers who have already mastered their strokes. The saying goes, “the shallow end of the pool makes the most noise,” and it’s as true for leadership as it is for swimming.
The shallow end represents immaturity, insecurity, or lack of depth. People there often believe they deserve the most attention. They kick, splash, and complain loudly, sometimes making it hard for others to enjoy the water. These voices demand constant supervision, correction, or affirmation. “Hey, look at me!” keeps echoing. And just like a lifeguard at the shallow end, leaders often find themselves managing noise instead of leading forward.
In contrast, the deep end is where you find strong, steady leaders committed to growth. They don’t need a lifeguard hovering nearby because they have developed skill and endurance. You can trust them with responsibility, and they can even help others if needed. The deep end is where leaders should invest their energy — not ignoring the shallow swimmers but not allowing their noise to drown out progress.
Too often, churches and organizations spend disproportionate time reacting to shallow-end distractions. The loudest complainers may receive the most meetings, the most explanations, and the most emotional bandwidth, although they contribute the least depth. This can be exhausting for leaders and demoralizing for those quietly working in deeper waters. The challenge is to avoid letting the shallow end set the agenda.
Great leaders discern where to place their focus. While lifeguards cannot abandon the shallow end, they don’t live there. They watch, correct when needed, and keep swimmers safe. They also encourage people to venture deeper. Similarly, leaders must balance giving attention to noisemakers while investing in those who crave depth. People in the deep end sustain your mission, protect your culture, and grow into leaders themselves.
The real test of leadership is not how well you silence the shallow end, but how consistently you strengthen the deep end. Create environments where people grow, stretch, and deepen their faith and skill. Celebrate those who move beyond splashing in the shallow water. Equip them to be strong swimmers and trust them enough to know they don’t need constant supervision. Teach, train, and model so shallow-end swimmers learn to wade into deeper waters themselves, where they can look back and realize the noise they left behind.
Noise may come from the shallow end, but potential is found in the deep. Wise leaders know where to invest their time.
