What is your purpose as a leader? Why should anyone be led by you?

Is it just because of your rank or position in the office?

We often take our positions in life for granted, perhaps as simply doing a job, and enjoying the benefits that come with it. But leadership is not a title, but an action- so we need to ask ourselves how we can serve a bigger cause?

A starting step is to craft a vision of what we aspire for our organization or our ship, and what is the role we see for ourselves towards that objective.

Why a vision: A vision communicates an attractive image of the future and a standard of excellence that reflects the aspirations of the team, thereby motivating the team and creating a sense of belonging and shared core purpose. The leader then leverages their personal influence together with insight and leadership skills to facilitate the supportive environment that enables the vision.

What the vision contains: The vision is an authentic link between the past, present and future, and consistent with the organization’s culture and strengths. It is realistic enough to be achievable but also idealistic that it stretches everyone beyond the current perception of their capacity. The vision becomes a guiding framework by which actions are taken and decisions are made, with or without the presence of the leader.

How to communicate the vision: Unless we can effectively communicate the vision and elicit the enthusiasm towards the vision, it becomes a challenge to leverage our resources into achieving this vision. For an early buy-in, brainstorm with your team what you think the collective vision should be. However, if the organizational vision has already been set, engage with your team 1:1 or in small groups to share the vision and the strategy to get there. During regular meetings with your team, you can also seek feedback on what capacity development, individual empowerment, and organizational or strategy changes are required to achieve that vision.

Some examples:
My vision for myself as a leader is to build and grow an organization that is best-in-class, and delivers or exceeds the expectations of the stakeholders with innovative, ethical, and sustainable business practices.

The vision could then be communicated as such, but is also drilled down into actionable objectives for each team:
    - Grow the business by X by Y years
    - Be a great place to work

Many shipping companies state their vision along these lines:

Leading global supplier of innovative and sustainable shipping solutions

To be a leading maritime solutions provider

Shipping companies may then drill down the vision into values or mission or strategy statements along the below lines:

• Enhancing our operating model: To provide safe, high quality and regulatory compliant services to our customers on a global basis, 24 hours every day
• Investing in talent: To ensure we have the best people in our industry both onshore and at sea, to provide the highest quality service to all our customers
• Innovating: To use data-driven insights and technology to drive better outcomes for our customers.
• Driving organic growth: We aim to grow by offering unparalleled service and great technical capability to maritime asset owners and operators
• Delivering inorganic growth: We acquire other businesses where they can enhance the service we are able to offer our customers
• Maintaining financial discipline: We can run our business to the highest standards, managing risks prudently whilst continuing to invest in our services

On one of my ships as Chief Officer, the shipowner had decided that these were the key points to operate the ships:

• Safety First
• Quick and close communication
• Clean and rust-free ship

Every time we called Japan with our cargo of woodchips, an owner’s representative would visit us and ask us if we knew what these three values were, and he would verify through his rounds that we were indeed practising it at work.

As a ship captain, chief engineer, or even as an officer leading a mooring team- you could create your own vision and share it with your team and seek input on how you could go about achieving it.

The safest, cleanest, and most efficient ship in the fleet, with the happiest crew

Or you could just own the vision that your company has set for you and come up with strategies on how you will leverage your and your team’s strengths to achieve that vision.

What is your vision for yourself as a leader?

Reflect on it, write it down, and if you are so inspired- print and frame it!

References
Video - Simon Sinek on vision 
Article by Debbie Stocker