Leadership Development? Go Sailing!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover!” - Mark Twain

This week I had a pleasant introduction meeting with a Sydney based entrepreneur who successfully leads a group of companies which are all focused on leadership & people development. One of the first questions he raised was related to my passion for sailing. He asked me to elaborate on my sailing career and sailing high-lights. I told him about some of my successes and lessons learned as solo-sailor and captain of various sailing teams around the globe. I think that we both immediately related sailing to having leadership and team building skills. In business we often indirectly use the sailing ability and success as a leadership quality meassure. The proof? Looking at history, we can conclude that most great sailors are also great leaders!

The good thing about sailing is that it’s an activity that anyone can participate in at any age. Unlike a high ropes exercise, go-karting, or team-cooking, sailing requires constant real-time collaboration between every person on board. Sailing in teams evokes quick actions, team efficiency and unique problem solving skills all of which are relevant for groups that must successfully interact day to day in the work place. Unfailingly, the boat’s performance immediately highlights issues involving decision making, consensus building, leadership and delegation. Team members (crew & captain) see, hear and feel how an unspoken question or a garbled exchange can slow the boat down or stop it dead in the water.

There are many analogies between sailing and doing business: dealing with unexpected events and comparing changes in the marketplace to rapid wind shifts out on the water. When traditions and norms suddenly change companies need to react quickly, just as sailors do when suddenly hit by a fast moving squall. Solving problems and reaching goals require communication that works, whether on board or in the office.

Taking it one step further and turning team sailing into a competition, like competing in the market place: regatta sailing with larger yachts and bigger teams is the ultimate form of team building, multi-tasking, performance management and leadership competition on the water! That’s why I have always loved participating in regattas around the world with a team of sailing friends. For me it’s the ultimate sailing event as skipper.

Success and victory in regatta sailing all depends on the interaction between the skipper and his/her crew who all must quickly react to changing conditions as one united team. That’s what makes it such a valuable tool for simulating and solving business issues!

Moving a group is very much like manoeuvring a boat: a sailboat can’t move quickly or in the driver’s intended direction unless all hands are engaged and collaborating well. So if you are looking for different ways to enhance leadership skills and build stronger teams; go sailing! Whether you organise an one-day sailing experience or a multi-day customised sailing program, subtle leadership and team building skills are developed as the attendees learn the basic skills of sailing, culminating in exciting competition between boats. If you ask everyone aboard to rotate positions, each person becomes a crew member or captain at some point during the exercises and you’ll all grow and will develop skills. Team bonding, team building and building more effective communication skills are guaranteed success outcomes!

“Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination!” - Fitzhugh Dodson

Make this a Positive & Fruitful day…..unless you have made other plans!

Warm regards & success,

Patrick Driessen

© Patrick W. Driessen. All rights reserved.