As I witnessed the test of a ship’s steering system, I couldn’t help but think about the important role the rudder holds. The ship’s rudder determines the path of the vessel and helps to maintain the course.
Take a moment and think about this:
Where might a ship end up if it sailed without a rudder?
That is fun to imagine. I can picture the ship leaving the dock, the voyage planned, the crew intending on making it to the next destination, except… there is no rudder.
When the ship is influenced by things in the external environment such as the sea state, wind direction, and currents, the ship no longer has an effective means of correcting its course and making way towards the intended destination.
Find your rudder
What steers you through life and leadership? Are you letting external influences throw you off course?
We all need a “rudder” to guide us towards where we want to go. Think about what it is that drives you. Consider your passions, desires, hopes, and dreams.
Why do you do what you do?
Answering these questions help to provide clarity on living a purposeful life.
Like a ship’s rudder, your own must be strong enough to move you and maintain course despite external influences. And also like a ship’s rudder, neglect it and it will weaken over time.
You may find that what has steered you in the past, no longer steers you today. Always be looking for that next thing that is going to take you further in life and leadership and always be improving. Submerse yourself with good information that enhances your passions and desires.
What steers those you serve?
Be familiar with the rudder of those you are serving.
“Find what steers them so that you can better serve them.”
Leadership is all about serving others. It is important to know what the passions, desires, and interests are of those on your team, and in your family. You can and should play to these strengths.
If you can identify what drives them, you are in a better place to coach and show them opportunity. Don’t discount the power of personal passion. I can’t think of a better way for a leader to gain trust than to take a personal interest in the interests of others.
Show them that it isn’t all about work all the time. Show them that you actually care about helping them to succeed in the things that steer them towards greatness. That is what leadership is all about, and it is a very powerful action.
Delivering an authentic contribution to those I serve, professionally and at home, is what steers me. There isn’t a greater feeling than that which comes from seeing others succeed.
Leaders must always be focused on honing their craft. It can’t be a one and done training session or course. Leading requires the ability to always be looking ahead, and maintaining course. A leader without a steering mechanism is lost at sea.
What is it that steers you and keeps you on course?
Leave your comment here.
Great article, Leo! “Leadership is all about serving others.” – So true!
hello Mr. Lampinen, just finished reading your teachings about being the rudder in someone’s life. I liked it very much. I am in desperate need of advice for helping a young man of 23. He is my mentee, I am his mentor. I am a lot older than he. His mom and dad, very nice people are his parents. I am his mentor. I have been working with him for almost three years, and I want to quit him. He’s like that ship with no rudder and no matter what I say, his gravitational pull is to his worthless pals who are his age and know as much about life as he does. These pals are hurting him,holding him back…keeping him off track and ready to tip over…I keep my mouth shut. I am not in competition with them and I pull no punches with my mentee. I tell him the truth. What is your advice for me to help him see his greatness, talent, and gifts that God has given him to become the successful and wealthy man I know he can become. There are times I want to abandon this ship with no rudder, yet I don’t do a very good job of helping in steering this ship to a port of joy and happiness for his life. Please, your advice is much appreciated. Thank you, David in FL.
Hello David,
I always enjoy hearing about mentoring relationships. It’s unfortunate that this young man you are steering is not heeding your direction. I understand how frustrating it can be when you want the best for someone, it seems like they want to do well for themselves, yet they continue to make mistakes that don’t make life any easier. In fact, I am dealing with a like person right now. If you can picture all those things your parents told you as a youngster that you later learned, ‘Hey, you know they were right’. Sometimes the best course of action is to just let the ship run aground. This is extremely tough to do with someone you care about, but failure is the best teacher. Sometimes you have to take a step back in order to take two steps forward. You don’t leave the wheelhouse, you just let go of the helm for a moment. You let him know that you are always there and available. I’m willing to bet he comes running back to you to help get the ship off the rocks.