Finding Awe Through Discomfort: Leadership Lessons from the Ocean
My 50th birthday gift to myself: Facing Jaws-inspired fears on a surfboard. Terrified? Yes. Present? Absolutely.
I blame Steven Spielberg for my decades-long ocean anxiety. Growing up in the 'Jaws' generation meant every splash could be suspect, every dark wave potentially ominous. (Even writing this, I can hear that theme music...)
Yet there I was, the week of my 50th birthday, deliberately paddling out into the Pacific Ocean—colder and considerably more intimidating than my familiar Atlantic. As a brand strategist who helps leaders and founders build platforms and communities, I know that genuine growth happens outside our comfort zone. This wasn't just about learning to surf; it was about experiencing firsthand what I share with my clients: breakthrough moments require us to embrace discomfort.
Michael Easter captures this perfectly in "The Comfort Crisis" when he writes, "In newness, we are forced into presence and focus. Newness can even slow down our sense of time." Whether you're launching a new venture, building a brand platform, or yes, facing down childhood fears on a surfboard, this insight holds true.
The Modern Comfort Crisis
In business and life, many of us have become too comfortable. Our temperature-controlled offices, predictable routines, and automated processes have created a kind of autopilot existence. While efficiency has its place, breakthrough insights and authentic connections often require us to step into uncertainty.
Beyond the Comfort Zone
Since that first surf lesson, I've deliberately sought out experiences that scared me a little:
Completing a 17-mile lakefront ruck
Swimming in Mexican cenotes (underground caves)
Taking cold plunges (surprising everyone who knows my love for electric blankets)
Launching new business directions
Each experience taught me something valuable about leadership, presence, and growth.
Why Discomfort Matters
Easter's research reveals something fascinating for both personal and professional growth: our minds and bodies need some level of discomfort to thrive. When we push beyond our comfort zones:
Time seems to slow down, enhancing decision-making
We become more present, improving pattern recognition
Our senses sharpen, leading to better insights
We discover new capabilities and perspectives
Innovation becomes more natural
[Photo of me surfing] Caption: "My 50th birthday gift to myself: Facing down Jaws-inspired fears on a surfboard. The best strategies often come from lived experience."
Finding Awe in the Uncomfortable
What I've discovered through these experiences, and what I share with my clients, is that discomfort often leads to awe.
Whether it's:
The vastness of the ocean while attempting to surf
The quiet strength found during a long ruck
The ancient beauty of underground caves
The clarity after a cold plunge
The breakthrough moment in building a brand
These moments of awe do more than inspire—they reshape our perspective and enhance our ability to see new possibilities.
Starting Your Journey
Whether you're leading a team or building a brand, embracing discomfort might mean:
Taking a contrarian market position
Having that difficult conversation
Launching before you feel "ready"
Entering new market territories
Reimagining your business model
The size of the challenge matters less than the willingness to step into it.
The Strategic Advantage
What I've learned from both my personal adventures and my work with leaders is this: our greatest innovations, insights, and impact often come when we're willing to step beyond what feels comfortable. In a business world that increasingly rewards authenticity and genuine connection, this willingness to embrace discomfort becomes a competitive advantage.
What I Know For Sure
Every time we step out of our comfort zone, we expand not just our sense of what's possible, but our capacity to lead, innovate, and create meaningful impact.
What comfort zone will you push today?
- Tracy Glass
