I have been promoted to tugboat captain, and will assume my first command early July. One of the most difficult challenges I face will be keeping morale high in an environment of high turnover and uncertain future. These are a result of our contract coming to an end within a year, when many expected to continue working here until they retired.
The captain has a great deal of influence over the culture of a vessel. I have worked on tugs where the captain was constantly negative, and the rest of the crew followed suit. Except for me, that is! My intentions are nearly always positive, a fact which was summed up as a "good attitude" and was a factor in my promotion.
I feel confident that a culture based on mutual respect, service to others, emphasizing strengths over weaknesses and compliments over criticisms will more than make up for the demoralizing winds we face. A crew with good morale is a safe and effective team. The key is that is must done authentically, as most people focused on negativity suspect an agenda when they receive kindness. My shipmates soon learn that I really am interested in their welfare for their sake.
It's a lovely thing to step onto a boat with crew that are normally quite negative and watch their attitudes shift like shadows fleeing from the light! May we all grow in love from the experience.
The captain has a great deal of influence over the culture of a vessel. I have worked on tugs where the captain was constantly negative, and the rest of the crew followed suit. Except for me, that is! My intentions are nearly always positive, a fact which was summed up as a "good attitude" and was a factor in my promotion.
I feel confident that a culture based on mutual respect, service to others, emphasizing strengths over weaknesses and compliments over criticisms will more than make up for the demoralizing winds we face. A crew with good morale is a safe and effective team. The key is that is must done authentically, as most people focused on negativity suspect an agenda when they receive kindness. My shipmates soon learn that I really am interested in their welfare for their sake.
It's a lovely thing to step onto a boat with crew that are normally quite negative and watch their attitudes shift like shadows fleeing from the light! May we all grow in love from the experience.
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- Posted by MadronaMan
- Jul 12, 2017
- Comments (9)
Readers Comments
littlegirdie wrote: “most people were heartless about turtles because a turtle’s heart will beat for hours after it has been cut up and butchered. But the old man thought, i have such a heart too. â€
― ernest hemingway, the old man and the sea
― ernest hemingway, the old man and the sea
Mish wrote: Feel confident your ship will be in good hands and it will be "smoothe sailing ahead" with you at the helm ðŸ‘
mindyjourney wrote: Congratulations on the promotion, dear â¤ï¸ â›µï¸ ðŸ‘©â€âœˆï¸!!! Leading by example is the only true and lasting way to be the change. You can count on us to help you keep morale high :))).
leoladyc728 wrote: congratulation
Lilijourney wrote: I remember so fondly our sea voyage from Vancouver to Prince Rupert last summer, whereby we saw so many tugboats. Blessings on your journeying on ðŸ™ðŸ¤—
debbe530 wrote: Congratulations. Wonderful way to run ship - or any team. Good on you!
splain wrote: Big congratulations on this promotion. you have done well to change them from negative thinking to big positive thoughts.
healingtree wrote: wonderful news, and a well-deserved promotion for sure! You sound so switched-on, I am sure you will make the kind of captain who goes beyond the call of duty due to your strong value system and positive attitude. I don't know you except recently, really, but I can honestly say I am very proud of you and the work that you do. You invest your job and dealings with colleagues and other people with Love&Light, and it makes all the difference. Keep us posted! And may you enjoy many good moments in the coming journeys.
kjoyw wrote: Congratulations!
