Field report

A management seminar on a sailing ship?

An opportunity that should be seized!

The Eye of the Wind offers the opportunity to take part in a very special and unusual leadership training programme.

The 100-year-old Eye of the Wind is a special vessel in her own right: a film diva and a beauty beyond compare. Lovingly restored, you can feel her charm from the moment you first set eyes on her. The friendly welcome on board from the crew and seminar leader, accompanied by a welcome drink, rounds off the positive first impression. Right from the start, you can sense that everyone is committed to making you feel at home on board.

After getting to know each other in the evening, the seminar begins in the morning with a theoretical introduction by the seminar leader. Friendly, competent and enthusiastic, she explains the schedule for the next three days. All days on board are structured around a mix of theory and practice. The theoretical units, held in the historic seminar room below deck, are well structured in terms of content and always relate to sailing operations on board. I wonder whether it is really possible to learn how to steer the ship in three days with the help of the crew. I have never been on a ship like this before. Can I learn something completely new so quickly? That is another question I ask myself. To cut a long story short: the answer to both questions is YES!

It quickly becomes clear to all seminar participants that they need to get involved! Various manoeuvres are sailed. The seminar participants are confronted with different roles on board – either as part of the leadership team or as part of the crew. The crew and the captain support the seminar participants in the sailing manoeuvres with patience, helpfulness and commitment. After each manoeuvre, there is feedback from the seminar leader, the captain, the crew and the other seminar participants. In the direct discussion, it becomes clear what was done well and where there is room for improvement. The pleasant atmosphere on board and the fun we have have a motivating effect on everyone. Climbing up the rigging at the end of the seminar is a very special experience. Standing on the mast at a height of around 14 metres gives me a view that I will remember fondly. The three days on board are over far too quickly.

What can I take away from this wonderful seminar for my everyday work?

1. How important communication with employees is.
2. How important it is to make the objectives of the company/work transparent to employees.
3. How important it is to make clear decisions.
4. The importance of good coordination at the interfaces.
5. How quickly you can familiarise yourself with a new subject with the help of others.
6. And how it is still possible to experience directly on this ship how important it is as a manager to know the strengths and weaknesses of employees so that they are deployed accordingly in order to perform well.

I learned a lot during these three days. A big thank you to my fellow seminar participants, the captain and his crew, and especially the seminar leader, who led the training competently and enthusiastically with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Cornelia Graf
Head of department and QM officer in an educational institution