Nautical Lessons for Leadershipkeynote address by Mark T. Jones
Director – Centre for Innovative Leadership Navigation (CILN), London
INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC CONFERENCE PARIS (IACP)
10TH-11TH AUGUST 2015
The Raft of the Medusa (Le Radeau de la Méduse)Théodore Géricault
The Spirit of Adventure
Image courtesy the BBC
What is driving an enterprise forward?
How is this apparent and what is being done to
anticipate risk?
Part of a nautical map for the Straits of DoverImage courtesy of the British Admiralty
What we should look for in a ship’s captain
Essential Disciplined Discerning in their choice of fellow officers
and crew Resilient Vigilant Decisive Diligent
Key requirements Is able to think on their feet Keeps their head in a crisis Is prepared to take tough decisions Does not crave popularity Boundless energy Has a sense of humour (a bonus) Speaks with authority
Our body of knowledge is constantly changing
What are we doing to address the knowledge
deficit?
Nautical challenges & dangers
Maritime piracy Doldrums Roaring Forties Mutiny Engine & Equipment failure Over reliance on navigation aids Poor maintenance Staff sickness, absenteeism etc.
Navigation Secure anchorages Insurance costs Natural and manmade hazards Outdated or inaccurate maps and
charts Unchartered or unfamiliar waters Complacency
The cost of complacency
Even great vessels can meet an ignominious end
Some nautical expressions in common parlance
‘All hands on deck’ ‘batten down the hatches’ ‘give something (or someone) a wide berth’ ‘left high and dry’ ‘keep an even keel’ ‘Know the ropes’ ‘run a tight ship’ ‘touch and go’
‘a shot across the bow’ all at sea’ ‘cut and run’ ‘keep a sharp look out’ ‘a loose cannon’ ‘run aground’ ‘spoil the ship for a hap'orth of tar’ ‘toe the line’
Recommended reading
A true leader strives to serve those under his or her authority.
Merci pour votre attention
Feel free to contact me:
or
www.ciln.org
www.marktjones.com