Seeing Through the Fog: Lessons from Florence Chadwick and Proverbs 4Leadership often feels like navigating through dense fog. You know your destination is out there, but you can't see it clearly. The uncertainty is disorienting, and the temptation to quit grows stronger when the goal feels unreachable. Florence Chadwick’s story of swimming the English Channel provides a powerful lesson on persistence, focus, and the importance of seeing through the fog.
In 1952, Florence Chadwick attempted to swim 26 miles from Catalina Island to the California coast. Despite being an accomplished swimmer who had already conquered the English Channel, this swim tested her resolve. A thick fog settled over the water, making it impossible for her to see the coastline. Exhausted and disoriented, she gave up—only to learn she was less than a mile from her goal.
Two months later, Florence tried again. This time, the same dense fog rolled in, but her approach was different. She kept a mental image of the coastline in her mind, focusing on her destination even when she couldn’t see it. This shift in perspective gave her the strength to finish the swim successfully.
As leaders, we often face similar foggy situations—times of uncertainty when the path forward isn’t clear. It could be a challenging project, a conflict within your team, or a season when progress feels elusive. In those moments, it’s easy to want to quit. Why? Because we lose sight of the future, and doubt creeps in. Florence’s story, however, teaches us an important truth: when you can’t see your destination, focus on the vision in your mind.
Proverbs 4:25-27 offers similar wisdom:
“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
This passage reminds us to stay focused on what truly matters and avoid distractions that pull us off course. But staying the course is easier said than done, especially when we are tempted to quit.
The fog of uncertainty triggers fear and doubt. Leaders often feel the pull to give up for three main reasons. First, they lose sight of their “why.” Without a clear purpose, it’s easy to get lost in the fog. Second, leaders often feel isolated, believing they are the only ones struggling in unclear circumstances. Lastly, they lack focus. Distractions, external pressures, and unexpected challenges can cloud the long-term vision.
So how do we press forward when the fog threatens to overwhelm us? Florence Chadwick’s story and Proverbs 4 provide three essential lessons.
First, revisit your why. Florence’s mental image of the coastline was her driving force. As leaders, your why might be your organization’s mission, your team’s growth, or a vision for a brighter future. Write it down and keep it visible. When the fog rolls in, remind yourself why you started and let that purpose anchor you.
Second, fix your gaze on the path ahead. Proverbs 4 teaches us to stay focused on the road directly before us. When facing a daunting challenge, break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Don’t let the enormity of the journey paralyze you—just focus on taking the next step forward.
Third, trust in what you can’t see. Florence didn’t stop believing the coastline existed, even when it was hidden from her view. Similarly, leaders must trust that clarity will eventually come. Faith plays a critical role here. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
The fog may not lift immediately, but clarity will come if you persevere. Florence’s second swim reminds us that success isn’t just about skill—it’s about vision, persistence, and mental strength. As a leader, you may not always see the finish line, but by keeping your purpose in front of you, focusing on the next step, and trusting in the process, you can guide yourself and your team through the fog and toward success.
So, what is the “coastline” you need to keep in your mental picture today? Write it down. Reflect on it. And let it guide you through whatever foggy season you’re navigating. Remember, the destination is closer than you think.

In the world of winemaking, a vineyard is not just a field of plants; it’s a carefully curated ecosystem where every element serves a purpose. One of the most important features in a vineyard is the trellis—the structure that holds the vines in place, helping them grow in an orderly, productive fashion. Without this structure, grapevines would grow wild, intertwining and sprawling over each other, often choking out their own growth and blocking essential resources like sunlight and airflow.

The vineyard trellis is an excellent metaphor for leadership. Much like the trellis gives grapevines support and guidance, effective leaders provide a structure for their teams to thrive. But there’s an art to this support. Good leaders know that their role isn’t to control every detail of how their team grows but to establish an environment where the team can grow with purpose and clarity. Let’s look deeper into how a trellis in a vineyard represents strong, healthy leadership and why a lack of structure often results in chaotic, unproductive growth.

The Purpose of a Trellis: Guiding, Not Restricting

When you look at a well-maintained vineyard, you’ll notice that every vine is trained to grow along a specific path, guided by the trellis. The trellis doesn’t limit the vine’s potential—it directs it toward better, more fruitful growth. Each vine is able to reach upward toward the sunlight, receive adequate airflow, and grow in a way that maximizes its ability to produce high-quality grapes.

In leadership, a similar principle applies. A strong leader establishes clear boundaries and direction, much like the framework of a trellis. They define roles, set expectations, and provide a vision that aligns the entire team. This doesn’t stifle creativity; rather, it channels each person’s strengths in a way that aligns with the team’s overall goals. People thrive when they understand their purpose within the organization, much like vines flourish when they are properly supported.

Good leadership provides the structure, support, and encouragement needed for growth. Just as a trellis gives vines the freedom to grow while ensuring they remain supported and directed, leaders create an environment where individuals can grow within the framework of the team’s vision.

What Happens Without a Trellis?

Now, consider what happens if you remove the trellis from a vineyard. Vines will still grow, but without guidance, they tend to sprawl in every direction. The plants will begin to entangle, blocking each other’s access to sunlight, overcrowding, and becoming prone to disease. The grapes they produce may still be abundant, but they’re often of lower quality because the vines have been deprived of the resources they need to thrive.

In an organization without clear leadership or structure, a similar problem occurs. People may be busy, but without alignment, their efforts often work at cross-purposes. Team members may find themselves competing for resources or struggling with unclear priorities. Projects overlap, responsibilities blur, and confusion sets in. Without a clear vision from leadership, people may put their energy into tasks that seem important but do not contribute to the team’s overall success.

Without a guiding structure, individual efforts become entangled. Just as vines without a trellis are more vulnerable to disease and overcrowding, a team without leadership is more vulnerable to burnout, frustration, and diminished results. Productivity suffers because there’s no clear direction on how to move forward, and people lack the support to reach their full potential.

The Power of Balanced Structure: Freedom Within Framework

A trellis isn’t a rigid cage that restricts growth. Instead, it gives vines the freedom to reach their highest potential. Similarly, effective leaders understand that structure doesn’t mean micromanaging every move of their team. Instead, it means providing a framework within which each team member can thrive.

For example, a good leader sets clear goals and expectations but doesn’t dictate how each person should complete their tasks. They provide the resources and support needed for each individual to succeed. They ensure that everyone understands their role and how their work fits into the larger mission. In doing so, they create an environment where team members feel empowered to use their strengths and pursue creative solutions, knowing they have the support of leadership behind them.

This balance is essential. Just as vines need support but also room to grow, people need both direction and the freedom to apply their unique skills and insights. The trellis provides the framework, and the vine uses its own energy to flourish within that space. In the same way, a leader provides the vision, boundaries, and support, while the team members bring their talents and creativity to accomplish the mission.

Leaders as Gardeners: Cultivating Growth, Not Forcing It

In a vineyard, the gardener’s role is to maintain the trellis, prune the vines, and nurture the plants. The gardener doesn’t force each vine to grow in a specific way; rather, they give each plant what it needs to succeed within the framework provided by the trellis. Similarly, effective leaders don’t control every move their team makes. They cultivate an environment that fosters growth by removing obstacles, providing feedback, and helping each team member grow toward their best.

Leadership, like tending a vineyard, is an ongoing process. The gardener returns to the vineyard season after season, maintaining the trellis, checking the health of each vine, and making adjustments as necessary. Great leaders do the same for their teams. They don’t just set up a structure and leave it at that; they continually assess, support, and refine the team’s environment, adjusting as goals or circumstances evolve.

The Fruits of Structured Leadership

Ultimately, a well-structured vineyard produces abundant, high-quality fruit. Likewise, a team guided by effective leadership achieves results that are both productive and meaningful. The trellis in the vineyard represents the power of intentional guidance, showing that with the right support, every member of a team can reach their highest potential. Just as the trellis enables vines to thrive, strong leadership enables people to flourish.

In leadership, a balance between structure and freedom allows individuals to grow toward a common vision. A good leader provides this structure not to restrict growth but to channel it in ways that maximize each person’s strengths, ensuring that the entire “vineyard” bears fruit. This is the essence of a healthy, thriving team—one where structure empowers growth, and leadership cultivates success.