Lessons in Leadership from the Open Water

Recently, during Red Hat's manager day focused on change leadership and decision-making, I had the opportunity to share an experience from a sailing trip that underscored the real-world challenges of leading through change. While the open water might seem far removed from the pressures of business, the principles of leadership remain strikingly similar, especially when faced with rapid and unpredictable change.

A Sudden Change: Sailing into the Storm

The day started calmly enough—a bright sky, steady wind, and a smooth sea. My crew and I were sailing confidently, guided by instruments and our own experience. However, as anyone who sails knows, conditions can change in an instant. We have seen some of the accidents in the Mediterranean this summer! At one point, I noticed a significant wind gust on the instruments, far stronger than anything we’d experienced up until that point. A potential storm was forming.

In that moment, everything shifted. I was confronted with an immediate decision—one that had to be made quickly and communicated clearly to the crew. The gust of wind wasn’t something we could ignore or downplay. Even if it was a malfunction of the instruments, it required action—fast.?

Fast Decisions in the Face of Uncertainty

Much like in business, moments like this don’t offer the luxury of endless deliberation. The clock was ticking, and I had to make a decision that would keep my crew safe and the boat on course. We had to adjust our sails, change our direction, and brace ourselves for the coming storm—all in a matter of minutes.

The key was staying calm under pressure and translating that calm into decisive action. In situations of sudden change, hesitation can be more dangerous than a wrong decision. It’s about trusting your instincts, understanding the risks, and knowing that sometimes you have to make a call that might not be popular but is necessary for the overall goal. In this case, safety and stability were paramount.

The Parallels to Change Leadership

This experience served as a vivid reminder of the essential elements of effective change leadership:

1. Speed and Action: When the environment shifts suddenly—whether due to market conditions, internal business challenges, or a disruptive innovation—the most important thing a leader can do is act quickly. Delaying or overthinking can result in missed opportunities or, worse, allow the situation to spiral out of control. Just as I had to quickly adjust our sails and change course, in business we must be ready to pivot when necessary, without getting bogged down in indecision.

2. Clear Decision-Making: Even in high-pressure situations, clarity of thought is essential. In those moments on the water, I didn’t have the luxury of second-guessing my choices. I had to evaluate the situation and communicate a clear course of action to the crew. In business, leaders must make decisions with conviction, even if they aren’t universally popular. When change is coming, people look to leadership for direction, not for uncertainty.

3. Communication in Times of Change: One of the most critical parts of leading through change is communicating what is changing and why. On the boat, I had to quickly but calm explain to my crew what the wind gust meant, why we needed to adjust, and how we were going to do it. Without that clear communication, the crew wouldn’t have been aligned, and the situation could have become chaotic. The same goes for business—clear communication during times of change is essential for keeping teams focused and engaged. You don't want to create panic on a boat, nor in business.

Establishing Trust as the Foundation of Leadership

None of these actions—decisiveness, speed, or communication—matter if there isn’t a foundation of trust between a leader and their team. On the water, my crew trusted me not just because I made quick decisions, but because I had built that trust long before we faced the storm. In moments of uncertainty, trust gives leaders the ability to lead with confidence and know that the team will follow. Similarly, in business, a leader must invest time in building trust through consistency, transparency, and empathy. When trust is in place, teams are more likely to rally behind tough decisions, even if those decisions are uncomfortable or difficult to accept.

Leading Through Change, On and Off the Water

That sailing trip was a reminder that while change can come quickly and unexpectedly, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether steering a boat through rough waters or guiding a team through a period of transformation, the principles remain the same: stay calm, make decisions with clarity, act quickly, and communicate clearly.?

Change is inevitable—in both life and business. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to navigate that change with confidence, ensuring that even if the course is adjusted, the ultimate destination remains in sight.?