ANCHORS AWEIGH

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For those not nautically inclined, ‘anchors aweigh’ was the verbal confirmation from the captain that the anchor had cleared the seabed and with wind in its sails and water under it’s rudder, the ship was logged as being officially under ‘weigh’!

While all modern shipping, including cruise ships, still have anchors to stop them drifting from a particular point, as leaders we need to realise just how important it is to use our own ‘anchor’ in helping others (and ourselves!) to avoid drifting off important and often key issues that are the main reason for us meeting.

Have you ever stopped to think about the subject before and realised just how much the word ‘anchor’ is used in our everyday language?

The most obvious examples are front line workers in the tv and radio industry, who introduce others, host, read out the news, do interviews and report on issues and events and are known simply as ‘anchor men or women’. In other words, they are the voice and face of the station and their job is to co-ordinate the stories and news and to build familiarity and trust between the network and its viewers.

An anchor also has a profound symbolic meaning for many and is frequently described as offering strength, hope, stability and security. It implies a firm connection based on particular ideas or beliefs, whilst wearing an anchor symbol can strengthen our resolve and seal relationships between people.

It is also interesting to see that the word anchor is used in describing the last person in a sporting relay race, who has the greatest experience and reliability - also the end person in the tug of war team, with the proven ability to hold the line, despite all eventualities!

But perhaps the most relevant and complimentary definition is when someone is described as a ‘real anchor’, a person who can be relied on for support and unmoving trust. Often seen as inwardly strong, wise, sensible and self-disciplined. These paragons of virtue do actually exist (!) and are as human as the next person - but the key to success is the relationship that is formed between two people, perhaps both offering the ‘rock’ of stability when the need arises in their own areas of strength.

Being ‘grounded’ in one’s own ability to stay calm in the face of uncertainty is a powerful skill that stands a person in good stead. It doesn’t come easily to everyone but with understanding and practice, we can all aim to stand out from the crowd and be seen as a genuinely safe pair of hands.

What chain of events last led you to use your own anchor in support of a colleague?