Experience report Ralf Breetzmann

Ahoy, ahoy, lift the anchor and set sail to the Danish South Sea - a leadership training with a difference!

At Transportkühlung Thermo King GmbH, where I work as a branch officer in Rostock, great importance is placed on the education and training of the first and second management level. I was thus not particularly surprised when my manager told me that I should go on a team-building seminar. Nevertheless, I was amazed when I found out where the three-day training course should take place: on the Eye of the Wind, a sailing ship launched in 1911! As I had spent few years on a 15,000-tons ship, and I have, therefore, some seafaring experience, I was looking forward to this special sailing trip with curiosity.

On Wednesday evening, the eve of the trip, I arrived in Kiel, where the brig was at anchor, waiting for me and the other participants. It was immediately obvious that there is something very special about this beautiful tall ship: despite the almost 100-year history of this great tall ship, which had circumnavigated the world twice, it was equipped to the highest standard. We were met by the trainer, the crew and the guest relations manager and were assigned our cabins below deck. They featured all the necessary amenities: air conditioning, running hot and cold water, shower and WC. Later, we had dinner on the upper deck, where the participants could start to get to know each other in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. I found it very pleasant that we addressed each other on a first-name basis from the start - we realized that we will have to be able to depend on each other over the next three days. In this way, we were able to form teams quicker, and we became aware that we are all in the same boat.

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we set out on our trip! All the participants stood on deck and watched the sailing manoeuvres of the crew. Soon after we were called by our trainer below deck, and it was time for the first block of theory. Since the total number of participants was limited to only twelve people, spending time together in the elegantly furnished salon was a very pleasant experience. As for the theoretical part of the cruise, I was initially somewhat sceptical whether such an environment is really suitable to convey the billed leadership issues. For me, it was very important to extract as much leadership knowledge as possible, in particular, with respect to the aspects of teamwork. The trainer very soon dispelled my initial scepticism. He explained in detail the principles of different leadership styles, introduced us to conversation and communication techniques and led us confidently into conflict management. The special character of the venue was particularly noticeable during group and teamwork: nobody could escape. It was like in the real world of a manager- in the end, you cannot run away from the situations you are faced with. Similar as you cannot jump from the ship into the open sea.

However, the training was not just theory, but above all practice. The special factor that distinguished the training on board from "conventional" leadership seminars was that it was hands-on, i.e. we took part in the operations on board! Teams were formed with the crew: Each participant was assigned to one crew member according to the principle of "shadowing" - from the captain down to the sailor. I was assigned to a team at the main mast, so it was either "set sail!" or "brace sail!" I did not expect this work to be so tough! However, the purpose of doing the manoeuvres became quickly apparent: an objective can only be attained through clear communication and teamwork. We could see very quickly any snags or emerging problems and learned how to react quickly. While role playing may be used at a hotel conference venue to practice such situations, the difference is that in a real-life ship operation, you cannot afford any mistakes. As it is the case in the real-life management situations. On both evenings, we enjoyed an excursion ashore. Apart from having dinner, it offered the opportunity to interact with each other in a relaxed atmosphere. I found it very interesting to learn what problems the other participants face in their day-to-day work as managers and how they dealt with it so far. Based on the training we received on the ship so far, we started to discuss possible solutions. Despite the cruise lasting only three days, at the end of it, we have gelled really well together as a team. We did not mind that the weather became windier towards the end of the trip. On the contrary: We braved the weather together and sailed into the port of Kiel with full sails. I felt that this alternative leadership seminar was extremely instructive, and the overall experience very useful. In addition to the aspects of team building that were important for me, the ship environment and the atmosphere on board were simply unforgettable. If anyone were to ask me whether I would participate in such a trip again, my answer would be: straight away!

Ralf Breetzmann
Transportkühlung Thermo King GmbH