Built for More Than the Harbor: A Business Lesson on Forward Motion

Last night, I attended the 47th Annual Dinner and Awards hosted by the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce. It was an evening full of celebration, connection, and reflection, but one line shared during the program stood out immediately for its relevance to business leaders.

Dabs Davis, President and CEO of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, shared a quote that cuts straight to the heart of growth and leadership:

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”

The quote is most widely attributed to John A. Shedd, first appearing in his 1928 book Salt from My Attic. While it’s often misattributed online, its message remains timeless and particularly relevant for businesses navigating today’s environment.

The Business Reality Behind the Quote

In my work with firms and organizations, I see this scenario constantly: things are stable, revenue is predictable, the team is busy, and nothing feels urgent. On the surface, that’s success. But it’s also where many businesses quietly stall.

The “harbor” in business looks like:

  • Relying on legacy systems because they still function

  • Keeping roles or structures that no longer fit current needs

  • Avoiding hard decisions because disruption feels risky

  • Delaying strategic planning until there’s a problem

Harbors are comfortable, and sometimes necessary, but they are not where growth happens.

Ships—and Businesses—Are Built to Move

Organizations are built to serve, to grow, to adapt, and to respond to change. Forward motion doesn’t mean reckless expansion; it means intentional progress. It means preparing for open water before the storm hits.

That might look like:

  • Investing in infrastructure before inefficiencies become costly

  • Clarifying leadership and accountability as teams grow

  • Reassessing client mix, services, or markets

  • Making strategic changes while the business is healthy, not reactive

Every one of those steps requires leaving the harbor—by choice, not force.

The Cost of Staying Docked Too Long

What starts as safety can become stagnation. Businesses that wait for certainty before acting often find themselves responding to change instead of leading it. Growth, sustainability, and resilience come from movement guided by strategy not from standing still.

A Celebration—and a Challenge

The annual dinner is always a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, the small but mighty team that supports local businesses every day, and the volunteers and leaders who invest their time and talent to ensure our community continues to move forward.

Laurens County is moving forward.
Is your business?

Brenda Stewart