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 special in her own right: a film diva and a beauty without equal. Lovingly restored, you can feel her charm from the very first encounter. The friendly welcome on board by the crew and the seminar leader round off the first positive impression with a welcome drink. Right from the start you can feel that it is important for everyone to feel comfortable 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. She explains the programme for the next three days in a friendly, competent and committed manner. In the Alternation between theory and practice are organised every day on board. The theoretical units, in the historic seminar room below deck, are are well structured in terms of content and always relate to sailing operations on board. Can you really steer the ship in three days with the help of the crew, I ask myself. I've never been on a ship like this before. Can I learn a completely new subject so quickly is another question I ask myself. To anticipate it: The answer to these questions is YES!

Because all seminar participants quickly realise: It's time to lend a hand! Various manoeuvres are sailed. The seminar participants are alternately confronted with the different roles on board - either being part of the management team or part of the crew. The Crew and the captain support the seminar participants during the sailing manoeuvres with patience, helpfulness and commitment. After each manoeuvre there is a Feedback from the seminar leader, the captain, the team and the other seminar participants. In the direct discussion, it becomes clear what has been done well and where there is a need for improvement. The pleasant atmosphere on board, the funthat we have has a motivating effect on everyone. Climbing up the rigging as the crowning glory is a very special experience. Standing on the mast at a height of around 14 metres gives me an overview that I will remember fondly. The three days on board are over far too quickly.

And what do I take away from this wonderful seminar for my day-to-day work?

1. How important communication with employees is.
2. How important it is to make the goals 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 learnt a lot during these three days. A big thank you to my fellow seminar participants, the captain and his team and especially the seminar leader who organised the training. Competent and committed with a wealth of knowledge and experience has managed.

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