Teambuilding Lessons From A Voyage Around Cape Horn 2009

Copyright Rob Duncan 1

“Haul Away!”

Teambuilding (and Life) Lessons from a Tall Ship Voyage around

Cape Horn



Your Speaker

• Rob Duncan

• Director, BCIT Applied Research Liaison Office (ARLO)


Introduction

• “Haul Away!”

– The ship– The voyage– The legend of the Horn– Victory symbols– 24 strangers– The lessons

• What I’d like you to come away with today…


The Nature of a Quest

• Can be a major life’s dream• Can be a work project• Can be anything that you dream of

accomplishing

•What is your quest?


My Quest…


Some Lessons…


Lesson 1: You don’t have to be brave!• You can accomplish a

life’s dream• Bravery is not

required• Key is to take a risk• Every project or quest

is a confrontation with fears



Lesson 2: Fear is healthy!

• Fear exists for a reason – it keeps us alive & safe

• Only the insane don’t have some fear

• Fear can be…– Physical– Psychological– Social


Lesson 3: Share the fear

• Everybody else is scared too

• Their fears may be different than yours

• Admit yours & you’ll be amazed at who else is scared

• This builds the support network



Lesson 4: Get better!

• Build your skills every day

• Small steps are all that is required

• Lean on the support network



Lesson 5: Own your piece of the quest• Small jobs can keep

you sane• Being the expert at

what you do builds confidence

• Excellence, even at something small, earns you respect



Lesson 6: Help someone else

• Helping someone less confident gets you out of yourself

• This strengthens the team bond

• Builds your own confidence & leadership as well



Lesson 7: Take a holiday!

• You can’t keep up the pressure indefinitely

• You are far less effective if you are– Sick– Grumpy– Stressed-out

• Simple rituals away from the team renew you

• Focus on your victory symbols




Lesson 8: Answer the call to lead

• You will feel the call when you are ready

• Your confidence has grown & you are helping others

• You need to keep growing as well



Lesson 9: Savor the victory

• Celebrate!• You did it• Take a bow• Congratulate each

other• Have a cigar• The victory symbol



Lesson 10: Mourn the end of the team• The more you have

achieved, the harder it is to see the team disband

• Don’t rush the grieving process

• The sadness will give way to warm memories

• Find a way to stay in touch



Lesson 11: Don’t wait to start the next quest!

• Quests get easier the more you attempt them

• Planning & dreaming are half the fun

• The smallest step can set it in motion


“There is a Great Cape in everyone’s future”

• What is your quest?– Visualize it– Write it down– What one thing will you do this week to make

it start happening?


The Book

Haul Away! Teambuilding Lessons from

a Voyage Around Cape Horn

Available at Chapters.ca,Amazon.ca, or your local

bookstore


Thank you!

• Any questions?

• Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]�

Education

Teambuilding Lessons From A Voyage Around Cape Horn 2009