There Can Only Be One Captain
There are 7 people working on our boat; captain, mate and 5 members of the crew. On the very first day of the season the captain and mate meet the crew. Quite often they have no idea who they are getting, there are no team bonding exercises. We go through all the necessary safety and emergency procedures and then straight on the water.
Anyone who has ever been employed would agree with me that you don’t usually have the luxury to pick your co-workers. It would also be very naïve to expect that you will become best friends. We are all individuals, we have a different upbringing, different beliefs, values, you name it. But all that doesn’t really matter when you are on the water. Only thing that matters is the fact that all 7 of us are responsible for the safety of 500 passengers and the boat itself.
You might think that the captain has the main responsibility, and you would be right. However, to land the boat safely requires great team work of at least 5 people. The captain needs to trust the crew and the crew needs to trust the captain. Do we need to be best friends? Of course not, but make no mistake, when it comes to landing the boat, we will follow the captain’s instructions.
How does that apply to real life? More than you think. This boat scenario could symbolize your wellbeing, your work environment, your family.
Let’s look for example at wellbeing. The crew could be your emotional, physical, mental and social wellbeing. Who is the captain? Who do you listen to when making important decisions? Is it your brain, your heart, your gut feeling or social media? Remember, the great captain listens to the crew, trusts them and knows that when the time comes to make that final call, the crew will fully support the captain.
Anyone who has ever been employed would agree with me that you don’t usually have the luxury to pick your co-workers. It would also be very naïve to expect that you will become best friends. We are all individuals, we have a different upbringing, different beliefs, values, you name it. But all that doesn’t really matter when you are on the water. Only thing that matters is the fact that all 7 of us are responsible for the safety of 500 passengers and the boat itself.
You might think that the captain has the main responsibility, and you would be right. However, to land the boat safely requires great team work of at least 5 people. The captain needs to trust the crew and the crew needs to trust the captain. Do we need to be best friends? Of course not, but make no mistake, when it comes to landing the boat, we will follow the captain’s instructions.
How does that apply to real life? More than you think. This boat scenario could symbolize your wellbeing, your work environment, your family.
Let’s look for example at wellbeing. The crew could be your emotional, physical, mental and social wellbeing. Who is the captain? Who do you listen to when making important decisions? Is it your brain, your heart, your gut feeling or social media? Remember, the great captain listens to the crew, trusts them and knows that when the time comes to make that final call, the crew will fully support the captain.