“The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion it has taken place.” George Bernard Shaw How are your language skills? As we reemerge from COVID lockdown back into the world it seems that more people are scattered and rushed than ever. Are your communication skills out of practice? Have you noticed a need for improvement in yourself or others? Everything begins with the ability to communicate. To accomplish this everyone involved must be open and willing to communicate … [Read more...]
Are You Trusted?
“Trust is built with consistency.” ~ Lincoln Chafee The International Rules Of The Road for all waterborne craft at sea are followed all over the world. When you’re on a ship out at sea at night and you see the red running lights of a ship on your starboard side which is crossing your path – that ship will hold its course and speed – because they trust that your ship will adjust its course or speed to allow their ship to safely cross in front of you. Similarly, your ship would trust that … [Read more...]
Shh! Can You Keep A Secret?
An interesting thing about communication and ships is the secretive nature of information from HQ – headquarters - or the home office to and from the ship. Most of us can easily understand why this would be the case for Naval Vessels. Why has it continued to be a practice for merchant vessels? Some would make the case that this became a practice from WWI and then more so from WWII. Where the ships were heading and when they would be going were key strategic pieces of information. Without a … [Read more...]
How Are Your Language Skills?
“Never judge someone by the way they look or a book by the way it’s covered; For inside those tattered pages, there’s a lot to be discovered” Stephen Cosgrove. How are your language skills? In the United States 75% of the population speaks one language – English. One of the front and center areas for all people at work and in their lives now is diversity and inclusion. Everything begins with the ability to communicate. To accomplish this everyone involved must be open and willing to … [Read more...]
Let’s Get To The Bottom Of This?
There are clearly more areas on any ship to write about and discuss. There is the bow of the ship: Most recently (compared to Maritime History) made its way into the mainstream consciousness by Leonardo DiCaprio in his role in the blockbuster film “Titanic”. There’s the Crow’s Nest: Where just about every cruise ship has their late night lounge located. Up close to the stars in the night sky and a great place to view the sunrise. Of course there is the engine room: The area many people … [Read more...]
Do The Rules Matter To You?
I had three rules for my players: No profanity. Don't criticize a teammate. Never be late. - John Wooden Imagine being at sea, on a ship loaded with jet fuel, in a crowded shipping area, on a very dark night. You are the watch stander on the bridge. You are the person in charge of the safe navigation of the ship. Wouldn’t you take comfort knowing there are the Rules of the Road. All ships are lighted by the instructions in these rules. All ships will turn or not turn in accordance … [Read more...]
