The View from Seven Feet

This little picture is on 6 different stickers on my boat as a warning about falling overboard. I gotta admit, the picture of this stick man flying through the air cracks me up. We can learn a few lessons from boating, because when leaders aren’t paying attention to those that they lead, people can go flying overboard.

I learned as a professional counselor, that change is one of the hardest and scariest things for most people. As leaders, it is important the we lead our organizations through necessary periods of change and growth with this in mind.

The reason my boat has six different sticker of people flying overboard- despite being only a 21 foot long boat- is because there are lots of ways to get tossed when something is in motion. The driver has to be certain that he checks a few things before beginning quick and daring manuevers. For starters, make sure that everybody is firmly in the boat before you hit the gas. Too often leaders begin the charge without making sure that people understood that rapid movement was about to occur. Even though you know when you are about to “hit it”, make sure that as many people are on board as possible before taking off.

Also, make sure people are seated. When somebody is standing or walking around in the boat is not the time to make a sudden speed or direction change. Don’t make major organizational directional changes when people are busy moving about doing things. Give plenty of advanced warning, so people can wrap up what they are doing and prepare for the course change.

Most casualties of people falling overboard can be averted by doing two simple things. First, look around and make sure folks, especially those that are not right next to you in the middle, are prepared for what is coming. Just because you are ready and expect a change, doesn’t mean they do. Second, communicate well. Go the extra mile to let people know what change is ahead and how to best prepare for it. Let people know when they can expect the change to begin. Just because you know the plan, don’t expect that others would as well. Tell them, answer there questions/ concerns, and tell them again.

Hope this helps somebody out there.