It’s that time of year when the… salmon run! Well, swim. Once they leave Puget Sound, the salmon make a 42-mile journey through 10 cities and climb over 125 feet in elevation. More than thirteen thousand adult Coho and Chinook salmon make their way up the creek across the street to the Issaquah Fish Hatchery to spawn.
Reflecting on how incredible it is that the salmon know the who, what, where, when, and why of their pilgrimage, I realized that there are some things we could glean from the Coho and Chinook. Read about it below.
5 Things We Can Learn from Salmon
1 – Perseverance and Resilience – Returning to their spawning creek can take months, including overcoming obstacles like strong currents, predators, and physical barriers. In business, we encounter challenges that require perseverance and resilience for long-term success.
2 – Adaptability – Salmon adapt to different environments throughout their life cycle, from freshwater creeks and rivers to the ocean and back. Similarly, businesses must be adaptable to changing market conditions, customer needs, and technological advancements.
3 – Goal Orientation – Salmon remain focused on reaching their spawning grounds despite the long and arduous journey. So, too, should we have long-term goals that guide us through difficult times.
4 – Teamwork and Collaboration – The Coho and Chinook often travel in groups, which provides protection and increases their chance of survival to reach the spawning grounds. They follow one another through barriers, saving energy by not wasting energy learning alone. In business, creating a culture of teamwork and collaboration leads to better problem-solving and innovation.
5 – Sustainability and Legacy – Did you know that the salmon die after their journey to spawn? It’s all about ensuring the continuation of their species. In business, we should also consider the sustainability and legacy we leave behind, focusing on long-term impacts vs. short-term gains.
Here’s the video I shot showing a few of them following their instincts and the unique mix of minerals in the water to return to where they were spawned.
