Communicate The Icebergs

A lone watchman stands on the lookout post of a ship as it steams forward at full speed. Looking through his binoculars he sights a large iceberg in the distance. It looks like it may be a potential danger and there is a chance a collision may happen. He takes note and chooses to check back again as it approaches.

Five minutes later he sites the iceberg once more through his binoculars. It is now much closer and looks almost certain a collision may happen. However, for some reason, he chooses to keep his discovery to himself. Maybe it is a lack of confidence. Lack of motivation or friction between him and the bridge team.

Another five minutes later he now checks back on the fast approaching ice berge. Now there is no need for his binoculars. It is a certainty the ship is going to strike and he is sure avoidance is an impossibility. With their fate sealed he chooses to inform the crew.

“We’re about to strike an iceberg,” he exclaims. The crew are caught off guard and quick panic ensues. Now aware of the pending doom the captain checks for himself. To his horror, they are seconds from collision. All is done to manoeuvre away from the collision but the warning came too late. The iceberg impacts and critical damage is sustained.

Now the entire objective of every person on the ship moves from their regular tasks to one of emergency and survival. As the ship sinks the crew don their life vests and make their way to their designated muster points. In a fleeting moment, the captain questions the watchman.

“Why did you not report the iceberg sooner?”

“I did! I told you just before we collided” the watchman responded in defence.

The moral of the story? Good communication sometimes involves communicating the smaller events before they become the bigger events. Early and low-importance information can be hugely valuable especially when a course correction may be necessary.