JM Lafferty of P&G draws a distinction between those whom he calls "swimmers" and those whom he refers to as "waterwalkers". Waterwalkers are defined by behavior that goes above and beyond normal expectations, as outlined in the six behaviors that Lafferty describes. Three of these behaviors seem particularly important, and will be explained here. By relating these behaviors to a film, where real-life situations are played out, we can come to a better thematic understanding of what constitutes waterwalker behavior, and how to exhibit such behavior in our on lives and interpersonal business relations.
Lafferty argues that "When confronted with a severe business crisis, the waterwalker focuses all energy on how they will overcome the crisis and still deliver; the swimmer will often focus instead on doing a superb job of 'selling' a lower base". That is to say that waterwalkers do not give up on commitments, regardless of the difficulty in achieving any particular goal, whereas a mere swimmer may be more easily defeated by crisis, and rather look for excuses and explanations as to what might have happened, rather than work to fix it. Thus, while the marketability of a waterwalker is in the true substance of their work, a swimmer may be more interested in style, relying on a smoke and mirrors effect to win over their clientele. This waterwalker behavior is also a measure of leadership potential to some extent. A good leader will take responsibility for a problem, and seek out a viable solution, whereas, a more inept leader might make excuses or lay blame on others, rather than solving the problem at hand.
In the film Crash, this "swimmer" behavior is exhibited by the thief (Ludacris) who blames his own actions upon the faults of society, as well as the pampered wife of the DA, played by Sandra Bullock, who recognizes her own shortcomings, but does nothing to change them. The true "waterwalker" of the film, seems to be Daniel (Mi...