The luxury of freedom – a contribution to the super-yacht industry

A little context

I have only got to know about the super-yacht industry – those servicing the large and luxurious pleasure vessels owned by the super rich – since living in Mallorca.   An industry, from what I can see, is not so self-reflective, and powered a little by the love of the sea, play, adventure and competition…and a lot about what money can buy.  This is an industry of excess and ego, glamour and grit, pleasure and pain.

When a friend in the industry, alert to mental health issues, asked me to support a crew she was managing, I said yes.  Apart from a few sailing adventures and a few boat-inspired opinions on leadership such as here and here, my experience in this scene was limited. But I was confident of my ability to help people help themselves, having worked with leaders and teams for over 25 years, including using sports as a performance metaphor.

The ‘problem’ and the ‘solution’

When I came to work for this crew, it had just finished a long stint of being confined to the shipyard during covid. In the words of a captain, it needed to get back into ‘guest and season mode’ ie: “a happy crew meant a happy owner”.

My ‘solution´ was to offer them an opportunity to, simply talk. To take advantage of having an outsider listen to them deeply, and invite them to freely speak their mind. And to offer a way to self reflect and identify their own sources of stress and resourcefulness.

Containing the problem and solution in this way, my package included an anonymous ‘pulse survey’ as an easy way for the individuals to express themselves, and for us to get a collective snapshot on how the whole crew felt and what people needed.  Followed up by individual private 1:1 conversations. And a report for the captains and management team, capturing the collective themes and suggestions on areas for improvement.

The key theme from all the conversations? freedom. How do we find freedom in a ‘modern day slavery’ situation, when we feel like we are ‘trapped in a gilded cage’. Given the situation (chosen and enforced), what is possible?

Here are some points of reflection and wisdom I passed on, which may resonate with you too:

Some tips

• To find that space and freedom where-ever we are
• That even if we feel trapped in the turbulence we can anchor ourselves to our breath
• That, life generally and especially in this industry, we can give away our authority so easily. And pretend not to notice, and to illude, delude and collude.   That we have a choice to see the system and speak up.
• That we can learn the value of doing nothing perfectly  – even if for a split second
• That wellbeing is an individual, collective and systemic responsibility. It is a lifelong exercise and skill, with immediate and future benefit, to explore what resources us.
• Taking a coaching approach nurtures individual awareness, freedom and responsibility.  And simply asking more than telling is transformational, and motivation comes through goal setting and a mindset of learning
• That there may not always be promotional opportunities but there are always opportunities for us to develop our personal skills and emotional intelligence, and even with systemic forces at play, we can focus on controlling the controllables.  
• And journaling is an ‘easy’ private form of self development you can do anywhere

Future vision

As I said in this provocation, I think, we will increasingly see wealthy people want to ‘help’, ‘redeem’ ‘heal’ [insert whatever word you feel is appropriate] given the urgency of climate action and a rise in consciousness.

I dream that the super-yacht industry, with its connection with the elements and its appreciation of beauty and play will be good candidates.  That the young and environmentally conscious who have claimed their inner authority will foster healthy relationships throughout the system.

I envision an industry healed and transformed by the water itself: cleansed, balanced, harmonized.  Where the sea becomes the focus of care and love. And where deep gratitude and respect for the freedom and creativity of all beings flows, and where products, processes and services are kind, necessary, true and helpful.

Where the ultimate service is to people and planet.

If you would like me to get onboard, reach out here.