I was lucky enough to spend last weekend sailing on the Solent. Not only did it give me time to get away with friends and enjoy the exhilaration of being powered by nature, it also made me reflect that there are so many parallels between sailing and running a business.
Plotting the course: The success of any sailing trip is to plot the course. Firstly agreeing the destination, and then working out the best way to get there taking into account tides, winds and any obstacles. This is no different to business…aligning a team to the final outcome and plotting the course to get there is how to engage a high performing team. The clarity of direction is often overlooked.
Trimming the Sails: Whilst the destination and route may be decided, the constant course adjustment and optimisation of the sails ensures maximum speed and efficiency. Again, in business the need to track progress, ensuring that all levers are maximised is key to successful project execution.
Jibing and Tacking: Changing the course of the boat through swinging the sail to the other side ensures that you maintain your optimal speed and ultimately reach your destination. This is a move that requires good communication and teamwork. Everyone needs to know when the move is going to happen and what their role is to realign the sails. This is not different in business, when undertaking any level of change management, everyone needs to understand why the change in direction is needed and how they can contribute.
Motivating the Crew: There is nothing better than a member of the crew announcing they are going to put the kettle on, or at the end of the day, celebrating the arrival at the destination with a cold beer. Everyone wants to feel that they have contributed and being part of a team that works together is very rewarding. High performing teams in business also feel like this. Regular recognition and team bonding helps keep the momentum and also builds loyalty and motivation.
IS YOUR ORGANISATION MAXIMISING PROJECT DELIVERY AND ENSURING BEST PRACTISE TEAM ENGAGEMENT?
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