Being a stew is a challenging role, but it’s also very rewarding. Whether you are a green stew, a sole stew, or a chief stew, there are always tips and tricks to make life easier while on and off board. Moving from sole stew to chief stew is very doable in this industry, but good management skills, letting go of some control, and teamwork make the transition easier. Moving from sole stew to chief stew can feel overwhelming because you are used to doing everything alone as a sole stew. Now you have helping and willing hands. The main tip to remember is that you are now managing other people. Strong management skills are key to being a good chief stew. Some of the skills to be mastered include good communication, emotional empathy, and organizational skills. A good way to demonstrate leadership is to be just the right amount of friendly, but also letting the team know that you are in charge. If the team is happy and works together well, the charter or owner trip will go more smoothly. The most challenging part of moving from sole stew to a chief stew is letting go of some control. As a sole stew, you are used to doing everything yourself. Letting go of some control on the vessel can be challenging, but you have to trust your team. One tip to building trust is showing other stews exactly how you want things done. If they have an idea, don’t just shut them down. Be open to their opinion and consider it if it works for the vessel. Stews who have input help achieve success and have pride in their work. Ultimately, as a chief stew, you can’t do everything alone and you have the helping hands for a reason, so learn how to use them effectively! The next thing to be aware of is the importance of teamwork. If your team can work together efficiently and effectively, the whole operation will go according to plan. A good tip for working together is to be as fair as possible when it comes to who does what. Does your vessel have fixed roles for service versus laundry, or can these roles be interchangeable depending on the circumstances? Does one stew always get to go on excursions, or can this be a shared role so everyone gets a chance to gain that type of experience? A great team can work together in good times and stressful times. All in all, the transition from sole stew to chief stew can be made easier with these simple tips.