Ship Happens

Running a business is a lot like captaining a ship.

At least, that’s how it feels to me.

You could be at the helm of the biggest, most luxurious ocean liner in the world—but if you treat your crew poorly, what’s the point?

No one will want to be on board. Morale sinks, and everyone’s experience suffers.

Or consider, of all things, mutiny. If you’ve tossed even a small portion of your crew overboard without warning or a raft—what’s stopping the rest from jumping ship or even turning against you?

Contrast that with a small, sturdy tugboat. Maybe it’s not flashy, but the crew gets along.

People enjoy working together.

The camaraderie makes everything—from scrubbing the decks to preparing meals—smoother, lighter, and more meaningful.

Then there’s the question of your cargo.

What are you hauling? Is it valuable, something worth protecting and delivering with care? Or are you simply a container ship turning a blind eye to what’s inside—maybe even looking the other way at shady dealings?

These are useful metaphors because of what they mean and what they suggest.

Because it’s not just about the size and shine of the ship (or even where you're going). It’s how you sail it, who you sail it with, and the change you’re making—the wake you leave behind.