As leaders, we’re constantly pulled between competing demands—change and stability, profit and purpose, work and home. In this monthly article, Tim Arnold will show you how to tap into the superpower of “AND” so you can move beyond the tug-of-war and thrive in complexity.
The Eavestrough Effect: How to Turn Chronic Problems into Competitive Advantages
By Tim Arnold
Our family has a tiny cabin (or “camp,” as we call it) in Northern Ontario, Canada. It’s been in the family since 1905. No road access. No running water. No electricity. Just a quiet refuge in the woods. It’s perfect—except for one frustrating issue.
The porch roof is sheet metal, and when it rains or snows, the runoff slides off in a narrow stream that often lands directly (and unexpectedly) on the back of your neck. I’ve been going there since I was nine years old, and somehow, I still forget. One minute you’re sipping coffee, the next you’re soaked. Year after year, the same irritation.
“It is what it is,” we shrug.
This year we asked a better question: “Is it?”
On a quick Home Depot run, we grabbed a simple, inexpensive plastic eavestrough. After an hour of work, it was up. Not only did it divert the water and stop the surprise drenching—but here’s the unexpected win: we started capturing the runoff. What once soaked our shoulders was now filling our water jugs. Enough that we no longer had to trek down to the well every day to haul heavy buckets.
We took a chronic issue and learned how to leverage it.
The eavestrough moment reminded me of a leadership reality I see every week: teams and leaders deal with “chronic issues” they’ve sadly learned to tolerate. The pendulum swing between Embracing Change and Preserving Stability. Debates around Structure vs. Flexibility. The tug-of-war between Having Expectations and Extending Grace. Leaders try to avoid these tensions, sometimes ignore them, or mistakenly pick one side and hope it works. But just like the drip from the porch roof, the issue keeps finding them, again and again.
Great leaders take a different path. They don’t ask, “How do we make this go away?” They ask, “How can we leverage it?” In other words:
- Acknowledge the recurring flow (this tension isn’t going away).
- Install an “eavestrough” (a simple practice or constraint that channels the energy).
- Capture the runoff (turn the friction into fuel for results).
Practically, that might look like:
- Change AND Stability: Pair every new initiative with a stability plan (what won’t change, what traditions and strategies remain).
- Structure AND Flexibility: Define two or three non-negotiable guardrails, then let teams flex inside them.
- High Expectations AND Grace: Use clear standards and timelines—and add “permission slips” that allow for context and foster trusting relationships.
The win isn’t in eliminating the tension; it’s in harnessing it. The same dynamic that felt like it was drowning your team can, with a simple “eavestrough,” become a steady source of momentum.
Organizations that learn to leverage unavoidable tensions outperform those that try to fix or ignore them.
So, here’s your December leadership challenge: What’s your “porch roof” problem—the chronic drip you’ve tolerated for years? And what’s the small, practical “eavestrough” you could install this season to channel it into value?
Ready to help your organization tap into the power of healthy tension? Learn more about Tim’s transformative keynotes at www.timarnold.ca
Big leadership breakthroughs often start with small, practical shifts. Each month, a member of Tim Arnold’s facilitation team shares a “Quick Tip” you can put into action right away—whether with your team or in your own leadership practice.
Leadership Quick Tip: New-Year Prophecies
This team icebreaker is the perfect way to get your team connected and having fun. Use it to kick off a year-end meeting in December or launch your first team meeting of the new year!
Watch the 2-minute video now:
This activity works best in groups of 5-10. If your team is larger than that, consider breaking into smaller groups.
1. Give everyone a pad of sticky notes and a pen.
2. Have everyone write out one ‘prophecy’ or prediction for every member of the team. These predictions can be related to work or not; they can be genuine or funny; and they can be realistic or ‘highly aspirational.’ Have fun with it!
Examples:
- In 2026, Tim will catch the biggest fish he has EVER caught.
- In 2026, Christy will close deals with 100 new clients!
- In 2026, Libby will adopt 2 more cats and start a cat lady Instagram account.
Each prediction should be written on a separate sticky note so you can give them to that person. Don’t forget to write one for yourself too!
3. When you are finished, pass out your sticky note predictions to each person. Each person should end up with pile of sticky notes. Take turns reading your stack out to the group.
Keep it relaxed and allow for some fun dialogue and commentary as people read out what has been predicted for them in the coming year. And remember, you never know which prophecies might just come true!
Strong leaders drive strong results. Elevate your team through our Workshops and Masterclasses trusted by organizations across the globe: www.leadersforleaders.ca
Nothing inspires like real-world results. Each month we’ll share a quick story from a leader or organization we’ve partnered with—highlighting the breakthroughs they experienced and the results they achieved beyond expectations.
River Crossing YMCA: Leading Through Transformation
With nine major capital projects underway, four mergers in motion, and rapid expansion across 60 locations, River Crossing YMCA convened 200 of their core leaders for a high-impact offsite.
See how we helped them strengthen alignment and build the leadership capacity:
Interested in creating a similar “knock-it-out-of-the-park” outcome with your organization? Reach out here!
Experience Tim Arnold Live — Before You Book
Join a small group of professionals for an exclusive virtual test-drive of my most requested keynote, The Power of Healthy Tension.
- Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
- 2:00 PM EST
- Virtual via Zoom
Attendance is by application only to ensure a great fit. There’s no cost to attend—just curiosity, engagement, and openness to explore how this experience might serve your organization or event in the future.
