It Starts and Ends with You

TOPICS: LEADERSHIP SKILLS | OPERATIONS

It Starts and Ends with You

One of my favorite stories from “Extreme Ownership” was the boat story in Chapter 2. The crew leader of the worst performing boat was swapped with the best crew leader. Immediately, the worst performing boat became the best performing boat. Have you stopped to think about how the crew leader accomplished such a feat?

We have no way of knowing exactly what he did, but we know one thing he did not do. He didn’t wait for someone else to solve his problem. Logic would say that he evaluated his team, made a few changes in assignments and added some inspirational words. He clearly relied on his experience as a leader and set about doing the things which had always worked for him. Not surprisingly, excellent leadership won the day.

In our company we are faced with a series of issues which must be overcome if we are to return to our former levels of financial success. Over the last year we have learned that Dee Dee plugged lots of holes for the organization. Now that we can no longer rely on her to cover up our weaknesses, we are regularly dropping the ball in several areas. What’s the answer? Clearly, each one of us must step forward to take responsibility. The question isn’t “Why should I be the one to fix it?” The question should be, “What is the best solution and how can I be part of it?”

Getting back to the boat story, the crew leader didn’t make excuses for the losing crew, he set about making them better. They immediately began to perform better and won more races than any other boat. Would that have happened if he had blamed their poor performance on anything other than them?

Our company operates as six separate divisions and there are times when fingers are pointed at one division or another for poor outcomes. Finger pointing is the opposite of leadership. Successful leaders figure out a way to enlist the cooperation of others in pursuit of their goals. The successful crew leader didn’t waste time on blame – he used every tool in his leadership toolbox to begin the process of turning losers into winners.

What is in the way of you achieving your business goals for 2024? If it is weak employees, develop them or send them on their way. If it is conflict with another manager, figure out how to motivate the other manager to work toward your common goal. If the issue is a bad policy, take the lead toward developing a better policy. What better time than January 1st to get started on some meaningful changes?

The successful boat crew leader knew immediately that the success of his boat was up to him. He didn’t waste time complaining about the unfairness of his situation, he focused on what it would take to turn things around. If you are to achieve success as a leader the first step is to look in the mirror and see the person who is responsible for success or failure. If you need more motivation, think about how the losing crew leader felt when he saw his team become winners under a new boat captain.



You are the captain of your boat. Act like it!