37 Feet of Determination: Navigating the High Seas from Bermuda to the Azores and Conquering as a High Performing Team

As the Chair of a? Vistage CEO Peer Advisory Board and an executive coach, I have a deep interest in studying high performing teams. This is because building, operating, and sustaining such teams is a major organizational goal for business leaders at all levels.

From May 22 to June 9, 2024, I had a unique opportunity to experience and observe what it means to build and serve as a member of a high performing team. During this time, ?I joined three other adventurers in sailing a 37-foot Hallberg-Rassy sailboat, Windrush, 2,100 nautical miles (NM) across the Atlantic from Bermuda to the Azores.?

The skipper and owner of the boat, Gottlieb Duwan , and his wife, First Mate Jeanie Duwan , are diplomats who were relocating the vessel to Rome, Italy to assume positions at our embassy. Our fourth crew member was Chris Schaefer, a pilot and technical writer.?

It is important to recognize that open-ocean sailing poses inherent risks, as evidenced by recent incidents that occurred during the June 2024? Newport, RI to Bermuda Sail Race and the return:? ?

• The seven-member crew of Alliance abandoned ship on June 23, after it took on water and was unable to remain afloat. Another vessel safely rescued the crew.
• The seven-member crew of the 41’ sailing vessel Gunga Din abandoned ship 80 miles from Bermuda on June 25, when it began sinking due to water ingress. Another vessel safely rescued the crew. ??
• The seven-member crew of the 37’ sailing vessel ?Desna abandoned ship due to water ingress. Another vessel safely rescued the crew.
• The 72’ sailing vessel Proteus dismasted less than 12 hours into the race due to a catastrophic compression failure of the mast. The crew safely returned to port.
• 0n July 2, during the return delivery from the race, the four-member crew of the 50’ sailing vessel Solution abandoned ship 200 miles south of Cape Cod when rough sea conditions caused a separation of the seam in the hull. The Coast Guard safely rescued all of the crew.

Drawing from my experience as a crew member on a potentially perilous ocean voyage, I offer insights into building and being part of a high-performing team. In this team, each member depended on the others to safely reach our final destination.

I define a high performing team as a cohesive group that harnesses collective experience, diverse perspectives, specialized expertise, and complementary skills to accomplish challenging goals. Laser-focused on achieving clear, exceptional results, the tight-knit members thrive on a foundation of trust, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose, channeling their combined talents to maximum effect. ?

Based on this definition, I have identified eight key factors that contributed to building our high-performing Windrush team and its defining characteristics:

1. Define a clear mission and specific goals, then thoroughly plan for key requirements and potential contingencies: As the boat’s owners, Gottlieb (the Captain) and Jeanie (the First-Mate), established a clear mission and specific goals for their ocean passage. ?They engaged in extensive planning, research, and investment to prepare the ?boat, including upgrades, repairs, servicing, and acquiring appropriate communication/navigation equipment. ?

The crew collaborated with Gottlieb and Jeanie continuously, reviewing itinerary details, identifying passage risks, and developing mitigation plans. The passage consisted of 4 major legs:? Leg 1 - Annapolis to Bermuda (1,044 NM), ?Leg 2- Bermuda to the Azores (2,100 NM), Leg 3 -Azores to Lagos, Portugal (~1000 NM), and Leg 4- Portugal to Rome (1,200 NM). I participated in planning for the entire passage? and crewed leg 2.

All crew members for each leg understood the goals and objectives clearly. Notably, the crew shared a passion for adventure, discovery, and appropriate risk-taking in ocean sailing. We recognized the journey itself was far more important than the final destination.

2. Assemble the crew by considering both their relevant experience and their ability to work well together as a team: For each leg of the passage, Gottlieb and Jeanie selected crew members with extensive sailing experience who had previously sailed together successfully. For the second and longest leg, all four crew members had previously sailed together during the 2022 Newport-Bermuda Race and in practice sessions on the Chesapeake Bay.? Additionally, Gottlieb and I had sailed together on a passage from Vanuatu to New Caledonia in the South Pacific ?in 2019.? The crew members knew and deeply respected one another, and recognized each person’s strengths.

In my case, I’m a sailing enthusiast and adventurer with 25 years’ sailing experience, and have sailed approximately 13,000 NM. Beyond numerous training and certification programs, my sailing experience includes participating in two Newport-Bermuda Races (~700 NM race), ?seven Chicago-Mackinac Races (~350 NM race), ?a 550 NM expedition from Vanuatu to New Caledonia, a 1,300 NM new sailboat delivery from Cambrils, Spain to the Canary Islands, and several post-race deliveries between Bermuda, Newport, and Annapolis. ?Although I have extensive sailing experience, I do not consider myself an expert. Rather, I view myself as a lifelong student, continually learning about the complexities of long-distance sailing.

3. Clearly define the specific roles and responsibilities for each team member: The crew members were well-versed in their assigned duties. Each person was adept at performing essential tasks such as leading the watch, steering the vessel, handling the sails, working the foredeck, operating communications and navigation systems, maintaining the galley and facilities, and enforcing all safety protocols. Given the grave risks posed by maritime traffic, the nighttime watch lead role was especially critical to prevent catastrophic collisions between the small sailboat and large container ships.

4. Engage in realistic and rigorous training, while embracing a mindset of continuous learning: The crew underwent extensive training and continuous learning to prepare for the voyage. Each member participated in intensive on-water drills on the Windrush, rehearsing essential tasks such as raising and lowering sails, reefing, flying the asymmetric sail, using the drag chute as an alternate to the rudder, operating the multiple emergency bilge pumps, using the diesel engine,? setting and retrieving the anchor, practicing man-overboard procedures, deploying the life raft, and using the radio, navigation equipment, radar, and Automatic Identification System (AIS).

In addition, the crew had completed various certification and educational programs covering sailboat operations in coastal and open water, navigation, engine maintenance, weather, ocean waves and currents, first aid, and general safety-at-sea. Each individual also undertook intensive personal preparation, ?continually reviewing articles and books on open-water sailing, crossing the North Atlantic, and making landfall in the Azores and destinations beyond.

This comprehensive training and preparation ensured the crew was fully equipped to perform anticipated maneuvers effectively and respond appropriately to unanticipated challenges, such equipment failure, high winds, large waves, and contrary currents.

5. Implement proven best practices, streamlined processes, and effective technologies: We equipped ourselves and learned to use technically proven and properly installed boat, communication, and navigation technology. This optimized our performance and enabled seamless collaboration. ?We also employed a highly regimented crew rest program, with assigned watches throughout the day, ensuring all crew members were well rested during our 19-day passage.

6. Prioritize individual physical and mental well-being to maintain optimal health and high morale: Meticulous trip planning, comprehensive training, a well-designed rest schedule, and excellent boat handling skills enabled our crew to maintain optimal physical and mental well-being throughout the voyage. We carefully selected fresh food and canned provisions for the long passage, and Jeanie, our ?First Mate and chief cook, prepared most meals, ensuring the crew ate well. ?Proactively addressing potential seasickness, each crew member used proven remedies, and we also looked out for one another, making sure anyone who needed rest took a break. As a result, no one suffered from seasickness, which could have devastated our effectiveness and morale. We also celebrated daily successes, whether overcoming poor weather and contrary currents to stay on course, viewing spectacular sunrises and sunsets, or enjoying the chef’s delicious vegetarian pizza.

7. Foster an environment of trust, mutual respect, and open communication: Our close-knit crew exemplified trust, mutual respect, and open communications. We actively listened to each other’s ideas and concerns, attuned to both verbal and non-verbal cues. Despite the limited privacy on our 37’ boat, we respected one another’s needs by minimizing noise when crewmates were resting, while also frequently engaging in social interaction. This fostered an environment where we brought our full selves to the job, embraced risk-taking, shared innovative ideas,? and upheld a sense of collective accountability.

8. Approach challenges with a positive mindset, demonstrating grit, resilience, resolve, and tenacity: Throughout our 19-day adventure at sea, we focused intently on our journey, marveling at the mysteries of nature as we navigated through challenging weather and seas conditions. Acutely aware that our lives depended on our boat Windrush and, most importantly, on each other, we channeled our determination and positivity to ?perform effectively and cherish every moment of the passage.

Over the past 50 years, I have had the privilege of serving and leading high-performing teams in both the military and business. This recent 2,100 NM Atlantic crossing represents a meaningful addition to my diverse experiences and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity. My heartfelt thanks go out to the Windrush crew – a High-Performing Team!