Driving over the Berkeley Bridge last Thursday, I spotted a large cruise ship in port. My mind flashed a thought about the length of time and care it must take to maneuver that ship into port. If you have ever attempted to back up a truck and trailer the same skill must be employed. A cruise ship does not have quick turns or immediate reactions. The weight of the ship and the laws of inertia must be considered when you attempt to maneuver something of that size into a safe port. Our personal and business lives are similar. You can’t maneuver a life weighed down with unnecessary baggage, non-essential passengers and frivolous cargo. When we are headed into rough seas the lighter the ship the better maneuverability you will have when responsiveness is important. If you find yourself at the controls of a ship headed into rough waters, there are some critical assessments that must be made prior to navigation. Batten down the hatches with this simple list that I have found helpful, so I pass these on to other captains at the helm:
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Identify the port of call you are trying to captain the ship into? Is it a safe harbor? Not all ports of call can resupply the ship.
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Can the ship fit into the port? Having the right ship for the right port is a fundamental question and answer for the captain.
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Are the passengers and crew essential? Some people have been eating at the free buffet on your ship long enough and need to disembark.
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Do you have the right crew? Are all the essential duties on your ship covered by competent crew that are loyal, engaged and supportive of the captain. Mutiny is a disease and must be rooted out.
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Are there things you are carrying that need to be thrown overboard? Remember Jonah was the problem. He had to go. What cargo have you been carrying that needs to be thrown overboard.
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Have you been held captive from inadvertently navigating by committee? In stormy seas one person has to have their hand at the helm. Trust yourself and step to the helm or appoint someone that you know is better than you. Time is precious.
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Has the crew been properly informed as to the goals and duties that must be taken care of to successfully navigate the ship? If you have assumed the crew shares your vision don’t assume because that is a critical Titanic error. Captain’s must state the obvious just in case someone is confused.
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Does the captain have a clear field of vision? Have the windows been cleaned and the radar properly calibrated? You can’t navigate if you can’t see.
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Essential cargo must be properly stored in rough seas. Has the Captain checked the cargo? Passengers? And crew? Before turning the ship toward shore take a second measure twice and cut once. You can’t prepare during the storm.
Albert R. Hartley
Currently Reading:
1873: The Rothschilds, the First Great Depression, and the Making of the Modern World
By: Liaquat Ahamed
Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World
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The Great Contradiction: The Tragic Side of the American Founding
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Regime Change
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Honorable Mention:
Check out The New Yorker for some excellent articles surrounding a range of topics.
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