An Ode to the Grinder
I am deep in "management training" sessions this week for my company and generally away from my computer so posting will be spotty. I did want to point to this tremendous article concerning the unsung hero of big boat sailing...the Grinder! For many years I was "head grinder" aboard the maxi yacht Javelin and though I attribute this honor to my bad back now that I am well out of my invincible 20's...I have to agree with the journalist that grinders are the "...power behind the challenge." And for those of you high hifalutin mast men or bow monkeys who want to sneer, remember that the success of your job depends on how we execute ours. This is, in fact, the key take away of big boat team sailing and ties right into the management team leadership training I'm being subjected to for the rest of the afternoon. Sailboat racing and the corporate world...who knew they taught so many of the same lessons ;-)
4 comments:
Of course big boat racing is excellent managament training. I am surprised you haven't persuaded your company to use it instead of that boring course.
I once had a middle crew on Black Magic who, when he goes on vacation, serves as a grinder on a maxi. I definitely could have used him on my boat this past weekend ...
And I agree with Tillerman. You ought to talk your company into buying a yacht for that management training.
I didn't mean they had to buy a yacht for management training. I'm sure there are plenty of charter companies that will organize team-building/ management training sessions on racing sailboats.
Actually, I was being a bit tongue-in-cheek about the idea of the company buying the yacht.
But if the company actually does buy a yacht, that shows even more of a commitment to employee excellence.
And what a great recruiting tool -- employees are rewarded for excellence by having an opportunity to sail on the company yacht.
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