The S.S. Game of Thrones

Where’s the beef?

What’s in your wallet?

Who’s on your ship?

Ok, that last question hasn’t quite received the brand pick up of the other two – yet - but give it time.

If you’ve been around business long enough, you probably have heard some version about how important it is to “get the right people on the bus” or something to that affect. But do you know what ship you’re on?

Allow me to explain (or at least contribute to your procrastination from today’s “To Do” list.). You’ve probably heard about this so-called bus – you know the one that can either lead you and your team to unparalleled success or incredible failure? It’s simply corporate speak for the common sense approach to having the right team (or “passengers on the bus”) when enacting and succeeding around a specific goal or objective.

In keeping with the “corporate transportation” line of metaphors, I’m more nautically inclined – specifically around ships. Partnerships, workmanship, scholarship, and the all too over-used leadership (more on that in another article).

These words and concepts are so oft referenced and repeated that it’s easy to add them to the lexicon of business vernacular and acronyms that resides in a far-off storage locker in the recesses of our brain somewhere – between funny memes and a recollection for hokey 80’s music videos (or maybe that’s just me).

Anyhow, I did get to wondering what the actual “ship” connection between these words had to do with each other and why they are so often used in many a business presentation or discussion. And if you’re wondering, no, I don’t have a lot of time on my hands – just a real lack of being able to shut off the incessant thought machine in my head.

So here goes nothing – or something. Your choice.

As it turns out, the suffix “ship” refers to a few different concepts - from denoting a state or condition such as a friendship to indicating a specific position or ranking such as lordship (corporate culture seen through the lens of Game of Thrones anyone?) The suffix –ship may also allude to a craft or skill such as horsemanship (again, is it me or is there a Game of Thrones tie in here?).

Nevertheless, perhaps it’s not a coincidence that so many of the constructs that define a successful relationship, professional or otherwise, are informed by the specific position or station one has in relation to another and/or the capability one brings to a project, program or potential partner.

As long as we are overstretching here, let’s just take this one step further. Like any good ship sojourn, the journey is as important as the destination, perhaps more. How many times have we been asked to consider the components of a strong partnership?

This isn’t a PowerPoint presentation, after all, or a short-term value proposition. It takes an understanding of where you are relevant to yourself, others, as well as an honest assessment of what you actually have to offer. Now, there’s a novel concept – maybe it’s not about you getting the right people on your bus, but rather figuring out if anyone wants to actual set sail with you in the first place.

Seas can be rough, too. Let’s not kid ourselves – whether the surge associated with a mid-Atlantic storm or a downturn in your order intake, solid navigation takes persistence, planning, flexibility and yes, let’s say even a way to deal with nausea.

So before you identify the number of seats and passengers you’re planning to take on that virtual tour bus of yours, be honest with yourself, plan for the long-term and make sure you have people who are willing to ride the stormy seas with you first. They’ll tell you what you need to know about their true resolve – and yours. Who’s on your ship?