Taking the Helm
Taking the Helm: Leaders born in the course of leading
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais Leadership is often discussed in terms of what the “heroic” leader does, what we should aspire to achieve as leaders, or what an author…
Taking the Helm: Effective leadership methods must match skill level of crew
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais Over the past few weeks I’ve asked various crew members what they want to know about leadership. For many, it involved knowing what to…
Taking the Helm: Team-building task illustrates the obstructive role of habit
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais I’ve been working with an executive team and recently had them try a team challenge. The challenge was to build a free-standing structure as…
Taking the Helm: Changing bad habits hardest part of progress
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais A deckhand I work with would like to be a captain one day. He has all the sea time necessary for the license and…
Taking the Helm: Treating co-workers like children results in childish resentment
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais Here’s a wild idea: How about leaders and people in positions of authority treat employees and co-workers like adults instead of children? I’m working…
Taking the Helm: Reputation can make or break a leader’s influence
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais Influence, not position or title, is the foundation for leadership, and leaders build their influence through behavior. As you might guess, acting with integrity,…
Taking the Helm: Gender roles onboard changing at glacial pace
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais In the news recently there have been calls to have more women in positions of leadership in all industries, which by definition includes the…
Taking the Helm: Leaders must be part of the team
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais Leadership comes from the everyday, normal behavior we display. It’s not a technique or a style we turn on or off at a particular…
Taking the Helm: Leaders who admit to mistakes build a culture of accountability
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais Genuine leadership comes from our behavior. Team members watch what a leader does as the real cue to our intentions. Words are easy, while…
Taking the Helm: New leaders must remember that change takes time
Taking the Helm: by Paul Ferdais New leaders often come into their job with energy and ideas, eager to somehow make their mark. While this is laudable, it can bring…
