Fly, Eagles Fly
Steve Maloney

No, not those Eagles! As a New York Giants fan, I can’t resist poking a little fun at Philadelphia Eagles fans — especially my colleague, Bill Brower, Director of Public Policy & Community Impact.

The eagles I’m referring to are the kind everyone can appreciate. They’re the bald eagles that fly past our lakeside home.

My wife loves birds, especially eagles, and her enthusiasm has rubbed off on me. Her interest deepened through the Big Bear livestream of Jackie and Shadow, bald eagles whose nesting activities were followed by a live camera for years. Jackie’s death in August saddened the many people who had followed her story, and I realized how much my wife had been following them by her reaction.

As my own interest has grown, I’ve come to appreciate just how remarkable these birds are.

It’s no wonder the bald eagle is our national bird. They’re majestic, powerful, and fascinating to watch, especially when they go fishing. I’ve watched them perch in a tree along our shoreline, surveying the water for their next meal. They spot their target from a distance, take flight, and dive at just the right moment to catch a fish. Then they return to shore to enjoy their reward.

Watching them in action makes me appreciate their incredible vision, patience, focus, and determination.

Imagine my excitement when I discovered books about leadership and personal success that use the characteristics of eagles to teach us valuable life lessons! David McNally, author of Even Eagles Need a Push and The Eagle’s Secret, offers insights that connect the behavior of these magnificent birds to our own personal and professional growth.

Here are a few lessons from McNally’s books that have resonated with me.

1. Sometimes, we all need encouragement to fly.

Eagles encourage their young to leave the nest and try to fly. That first leap is uncomfortable but necessary for growth. We face similar moments when we need a nudge to move beyond our comfort zones or pursue a goal we have delayed. Coaches and mentors can provide that encouragement, challenge us, and help us recognize what we’re capable of achieving. David Freund, MACNY’s Chief Leadership Officer, and I are certified John Maxwell coaches, and we welcome opportunities to support others through our leadership coaching program.

David, who’s also my coach, gave me that kind of push when he challenged me to help lead webinars and record podcast sessions. I had no prior experience with the podcasts, so the opportunity took me outside my comfort zone. With his support, I grew more confident and now look forward to sharing our recorded podcast sessions — stay tuned!

2. Keep your vision in focus.

As I mentioned earlier, eagles have remarkable eyesight. They can identify their targets from great distances and focus on what matters. We can learn from that example by understanding our “why” and maintaining a clear vision of the future we want to create. Whether we’re leading a team, developing our careers, or working toward a personal goal, knowing where we want to go helps guide today’s decisions.

3. Develop resilience.

Life will bring storms, disappointments, and unexpected challenges. We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can influence how we respond. Eagles often symbolize rising above adversity and the incoming storms, reminding us to face challenges instead of letting them define us. In leadership and personal growth, setbacks can become opportunities to learn, adapt, and become stronger.

As I often remind myself, we will go through stuff, so we may as well grow through it.

4. Take responsibility for your own growth.

Eagles must eventually rely on their own abilities to survive. Likewise, coaches, mentors, and leaders can provide guidance, encouragement, and support, but ultimately, we must take responsibility for our own development. We need to make choices, take action, learn from our mistakes, and remain accountable for the results.

So, the next time you see an eagle soaring above the water, take a moment to consider what it might teach you about your own journey. Keep your vision clear, face the storms, take responsibility for your growth, and be willing to leave the nest when the time is right.