Mark T. Jones, Director of the Centre for Innovative Leadership Navigation in London, discusses lessons for leadership from the nautical domain. He emphasizes that an effective leader must be disciplined, resilient, vigilant, and decisive. Additionally, a good leader thinks on their feet, keeps their head in crises, makes tough decisions without craving popularity, and has boundless energy. Nautical challenges like piracy, equipment failures, and outdated maps demonstrate the importance of anticipating risks, addressing knowledge deficits, and avoiding complacency for successful leadership.

1. Nautical Lessons for Leadership
keynote address by
Mark T. Jones
Director – Centre for Innovative Leadership Navigation (CILN), London
INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC CONFERENCE PARIS (IACP)
10TH-11TH AUGUST 2015

2. The Raft of the Medusa (Le Radeau de la Méduse)
Théodore Géricault

3. The Spirit of Adventure
Image
courtesy
the BBC

4. What is driving an
enterprise forward?
How is this apparent and
what is being done to
anticipate risk?

5. Part of a nautical map for the Straits of Dover
Image courtesy of the British Admiralty

6. What we should look for in a ship’s captain
Essential
 Disciplined
 Discerning in their choice of fellow officers
and crew
 Resilient
 Vigilant
 Decisive
 Diligent
Key requirements
 Is able to think on their feet
 Keeps their head in a crisis
 Is prepared to take tough decisions
 Does not crave popularity
 Boundless energy
 Has a sense of humour (a bonus)
 Speaks with authority

7. Our body of knowledge
is constantly changing
What are we doing to address
the knowledge deficit?

8. Nautical challenges & dangers
 Maritime piracy
 Doldrums
 Roaring Forties
 Mutiny
 Engine & Equipment failure
 Over reliance on navigation aids
 Poor maintenance
 Staff sickness, absenteeism etc.
 Navigation
 Secure anchorages
 Insurance costs
 Natural and manmade hazards
 Outdated or inaccurate maps and charts
 Unchartered or unfamiliar waters
 Complacency

9. The cost of complacency

10. Even great vessels can meet an ignominious end

11. Some nautical expressions in common parlance
 ‘All hands on deck’
 ‘batten down the hatches’
 ‘give something (or someone) a wide berth’
 ‘left high and dry’
 ‘keep an even keel’
 ‘Know the ropes’
 ‘run a tight ship’
 ‘touch and go’
 ‘a shot across the bow’
 all at sea’
 ‘cut and run’
 ‘keep a sharp look out’
 ‘a loose cannon’
 ‘run aground’
 ‘spoil the ship for a hap'orth of tar’
 ‘toe the line’

12. Recommended reading
A true leader strives to serve those under his
or her authority.

13. Merci pour votre
attention
Feel free to contact me:
mark@ciln.org
or
marktjones500@gmail.com
www.ciln.org
www.marktjones.com