3 Ways to Tell If You’d Be A Good Submarine Captain
The opening scene of the movie “Crimson Tide” suggests the Captain of a ballistic missile submarine is the 3rd most powerful man in the world, behind the President of the United States and President of the Soviet Union. Times have changed of course, and submarine captains followed orders back then just as they do now...
The Submarine Leadership Tour- Tenth and Last Stop: Engineroom Lower Level!
The tenth and last stop of our submarine leadership tour is still in the engineroom, but we’ll head down to specifically see the Sailor standing watch in Engineroom Lower Level. Our previous stop was the general Engineroom, where we discussed the importance of “preventative maintenance,” not for your equipment, but for your people. People are...
The Submarine Leadership Tour- Ninth Stop: Engineroom!
Our last stop was the Missile Control Center, where we discussed the necessity for good leaders to be clear on their core mission and principles. From the Missile Control Center walk aft, all the way through the missile compartment, and up one deck until you get to the Engineroom. Be sure to have your earplugs...
The Submarine Leadership Tour- Eighth Stop: Missile Control Center!
Our last stop was the Battery Well, where we discussed the need to have a “battery backup” to keep your business running when the unusual processes or people are unavailable and the leadership team needs time to respond. To get to the Missile Control Center from the Battery Well, head up two ladders and walk...
The Submarine Leadership Tour- Seventh Stop: Battery Well!
Our last stop was Berthing, where we discussed how good leaders view their team members as “ people” and not mere “employees.” When appropriate, good leaders support their team in and out of the workplace. To get to the Battery Well from Berthing, we backtrack to the forward compartment, head down one deck and enter...
The Submarine Leadership Tour- Sixth Stop: Berthing!
Our last stop was the Wardroom and Crew’s Mess, and we discussed the need for leaders to spend quality social time with their teams and ensure some allotment for activities that are actually fun (for the team, not necessarily the leader). To get to Berthing from Crew’s Mess, head aft through the watertight door, take...
The Submarine Leadership Tour- Fifth Stop: Wardroom and Crew’s Mess!
Our last stop was the Control Room, and we discussed how leaders must focus on the critical processes that serve as the “brain” of their organization. To get to the Wardroom from Control, we head down two decks, and grab a seat. The Wardroom is where all the officers eat, but since we’re limited in...
The Submarine Leadership Tour- Fourth Stop: Control Room!
Our last stop was the Torpedo Room, where we discussed how good leaders are ready to speak up and take decisive action (“fire all torpedoes!” - but in a polite way in non-military settings) when they witness behavior that undermines their personal and professional standards. As we exit the Torpedo Room, it’s time to head...
The Submarine Leadership Tour- Third Stop: Torpedo Room!
Our last stop was the Radio Room, where we talked about the importance of clarity in what you “transmit” as a leader. As we exit Radio, we head down two decks, take a few steps aft, and then down one more deck to the Torpedo Room. This is where we keep our torpedoes tied...
The Submarine Leadership Tour- Second Stop: Radio Room!
Our last stop was the Sonar Room, where we discussed how important it was to be an effective listener. Now it’s just a few short steps and a left turn to enter the Radio Room. Unlike Sonar, where it’s a steady grind of listening activity, the activity level in Radio usually comes in waves....
The Submarine Leadership Tour- First Stop: Sonar!
Welcome to the first stop of our submarine leadership tour! We’ll use the spaces of our submarine (also called a “boat”) as an easy way to remember some essentials of good leadership. Listen Carefully We’ll begin in the Sonar Room, where it’s quiet and cool, as the operators monitor several displays and listen carefully. Unless we...