While this quote of course can be taken as a metaphor, before the more traditional fare on management begins, here is my sea dog's take on management. The more traditional treatment I owe largely to Peter Drucker and Jack Welch, but this part is all due to Captain Hornblower.
- Show no weakness. Your strength and confidence will transfer to your crew, as would weakness and fear. Only if your crew believes that you are in control, that you are not afraid, they can feel likewise, and go through hell for you.
- Expect excellence. Leading is giving people something to believe in. Only troops on high morale can overcome the vagaries of the sea, and honest pride in their prowess will give them morale. If you are critical, be so only by letting people understand you expect more.
- Keep cool in the heat of battle. Keep a cool, clear head in crisis. By acting panicked and frantic, you give away your only chance to think and salvage the situation. Stay calm, and think.
- Collect information continuously. At all times, keep aware about the status of your ship. How much reserves do you have, how well trained is the crew, how is morale? At all times, keep aware about your surroundings. Where is the wind coming from, how does the weather change, what other ships are out there, and what do they do, who is leading them, and how is their personality? Only by collecting information all the time, you know what you need, when it is time to act.
- Plan ahead. Think about ways that the situation can take in the future, and draw upon all the information you have, to come up with ideas and plans for the best action. Once decided on a plan, inform everyone what is needed from him, and act.
- Act now. In an hour it may be too late. The wind and the waves are always changing. Seize the opportunity as it presents itself. Waste no time. In an hour it may not be possible any more to do so.
- Rely on the strong people. There is always a number of good and strong people, among many weak and plodding ones. Do not waste your time on the weak ones. Pick the strong ones and work with them to achieve your goals. Look for execution, initiative, and independent thinking.
- Respect your admiral. Even if you think he might be wrong, stay loyal to your admiral. Try to provide him with the information he needs, but accept his decisions, and do the best you can within those parameters. If you have to go down for him, do so.
Source: Captain Hornblower, and all the other books of the Hornblower saga. Especially the ones earlier in his career.
