Taking the Helm
Taking the Helm: One-on-one more effective than ‘training’ programs
Taking the Helm: by Capt. Paul Ferdais This might sound odd, but as I see it, the training programs that have sprung up in the leadership/management/personal development industries are, for…
Taking the Helm: People don’t leave jobs; people leave people
Taking the Helm: by Capt. Paul Ferdais When the “I’m leaving” conversation happens with the captain, there always seems to be some extenuating circumstance: “I’m off to take courses for…
Taking the Helm: Roman centurions could teach modern leaders a thing or two
Taking the Helm: by Capt. Paul Ferdais Over 2,000 years ago, Roman army soldiers considered it the highest honor to attain the rank of centurion. As an officer and leader…
Taking the Helm: Manage your own emotional reaction before managing others’
Taking the Helm: by Capt. Paul Ferdais I was recently working with two day-workers who were putting bottom paint on the hull. One of the day-workers was taking her time…
Taking the Helm: No one likes to work for a know-it-all
Taking the Helm: by Capt. Paul Ferdais Sometimes it pays not to speak up. When those in charge find that everyone comes to them for every simple decision, it might…
Taking the Helm: Practice the attributes of leaders who turn heads
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais We all love the type of leader who can walk into a room and have all heads turn to see what he or she…
Taking the Helm: Better leadership relies on forging better habits
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais Leadership and behavior are the same thing. To change our leadership, we need to change our behavior. This critical point often gets skipped over…
Taking the Helm: Mid-level leaders must balance needs of those above and below
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais While a bosun, second stew or second engineer all have leadership roles, they’re also considered middle managers. They have people who report to them,…
Taking the Helm: Crew face uncertain dynamics in wake of #MeToo movement
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais The essence of the workplace on a boat is no different than that found on land, beyond the fact that the view out the…
Taking the Helm: Leadership crumbles without daily effort
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais The idea that leadership is a one-time grandiose act instead of a repeated daily behavior is often the reason leaders fail and fall from…
