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Good morning. I've been obsessed with the philosophy of fostering an "inner sense of captaincy" in which teams stop reacting to problems and instead create a culture of prevention. David Whyte explains it best.
"Developing an inner sense of captaincy means understanding the overarching goals of your work and being willing to make decisions that support them, even if something isn't strictly your job or you might not get rewarded for it, or sometimes even if you don't have permission."
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Developing your inner sense of captaincy
In today's workplace, problem solvers often receive accolades, while those who prevent problems are overlooked. This dynamic creates a culture that inadvertently rewards the creation of problems. To counter this, poet David Whyte suggests embracing an "inner sense of captaincy" to foster proactive behavior and initiative in the face of challenges.
Shifting the Culture: To foster a culture that encourages everyone to act responsibly at the first signs of trouble, we must examine our approach to work. When do we feel a sense of fulfillment? Is it when we swoop in to save the day and receive recognition? It's worth questioning why we don't invest more effort into preventing problems if we consider something worth saving.
The Voyage of Work: Drawing from his book "Crossing the Unknown Sea," David Whyte presents the idea of work as a lifelong journey akin to a sea voyage. Our work experiences continuously evolve, with moments of turbulence and tranquility, highs and lows. These experiences occur against the backdrop of personal lives and the broader world.
Nurturing Your Boat: Like a sea voyage, maintaining your boat becomes crucial. There isn't always time to solve problems after they arise; it is vital to preempt them to ensure a smoother journey. Whyte describes this as developing an "inner sense of captaincy," a metaphor applicable to all aspects of our work. By doing so, we gain more control over our lives and contribute to resource efficiency within our organizations.
The Power of Ownership: Whyte shares a personal story that serves as a wake-up call. While working as a naturalist guide, he awoke one morning to find the boat adrift, with the captain sound asleep. Acting swiftly, he steered the vessel to safety, but the incident shook him deeply. He initially blamed the captain but gradually realized that individual ownership and an inner sense of captaincy were essential. Being proactive and making decisions aligned with overarching goals, even when it falls outside one's specific role or without immediate rewards, are integral to the journey.
Shared Responsibility: The common perception that leaders bear sole responsibility for everything can lead to complacency among team members. We may choose not to take action on potential problems, assuming the leader will handle them. However, as we rise within an organization, we must take the initiative and assume responsibility. Leaders must foster an environment encouraging autonomy, where teams feel empowered to act when they spot potential issues. This collaborative approach prevents the collapse of operations.
Creating Success: Developing an inner sense of captaincy is not about compensating for poor leadership but giving individuals space and support to create success. Strong leaders create conditions that allow their teams to be proactive and take ownership of outcomes. The role of the captain is embodied in leadership but is accessible to everyone, encouraging individuals to step forward, build confidence, and respond to unexpected challenges.
Prioritizing Outcomes: An inner sense of captaincy emphasizes caring about outcomes rather than seeking credit or assigning blame. We create a more proactive and productive work environment by shifting our focus from solving existing problems to preventing them. Prevention is less resource-intensive and minimizes stress compared to problem-solving. Organizations should recognize and reward individuals who prevent problems, promoting a culture that values prevention over reaction.
Embracing the Voyage: Cultivating an inner sense of captaincy during our work journey empowers us to face challenges proactively. It becomes an opportunity for personal growth, allowing us to fully embody our nature and embrace the courageous aspects of leadership. David Whyte writes, "Having the powerful characteristics of captaincy or leadership of any form is almost always an outward sign of a person inhabiting their physical body and the deeper elements of their own nature."
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