Learning to Lead in the Rain

In Oregon, it rains most of the year. People don’t wait it out. You put on a jacket, pull up the hood, and head out. No one bothers with an umbrella. Life keeps moving.

Over time, the rain teaches you how to think. Gray days stop feeling like a problem to solve. Rain means full lakes and rivers, and snow building up in the mountains. You learn to hold a longer view, to trust that what feels inconvenient now is supporting something essential later.

When the mountain is an hour away, you stay ready. Ski gear lives in a tote, packed and ready to go. You don’t overthink it. When conditions are right, you go. Sometimes people say they’re headed to a “board meeting,” and everyone knows which board they really mean. Preparation isn’t about caution; it’s about opportunity. You build your life so you can say yes when the moment arrives.

That rhythm carries into how people lead. The long, dark months are for getting ready. When the sun comes back, you take advantage of it. You move and play to recharge, so you can return steady and clear when the gray settles in again.

The culture reinforces it. The tone is casual, but the attention is real. People mind their own business and still step in when something isn’t right. Differences are part of the landscape. Standing up for others is unremarkable in the best way. Over time, you learn that leadership includes paying attention to who might be vulnerable and choosing not to look away.

Daily choices sharpen systems thinking: what you consume, reuse, and recycle. None of it is isolated. Impact accumulates over time, whether you are paying attention or not, and you are always looking for solutions that hold up over the long run.

In a place shaped by rain, land, and community, leadership develops quietly. You learn to keep going, to plan for change, to make space for play, and to care for the whole without needing ideal conditions.

Rebecca Johnson

Organization Development, Executive & Career Coaching, Author

Dolce Consulting l dolceconsulting.com

Check out our Leadership Shift Series