Will it Make the Boat go Faster

A singular focus. A common purpose and an unrelenting attention to that which will help us be ultimately successful. That's what the title refers to.

It was used as a rally-call by Team New Zealand in the America's Cup race some years back. I was so taken with the idea, that I had large signs with the same message printed up, and placed in my office - though I was neither a sailor or in a boat.

The beauty of the message is that it was pervasively used by the organizing teams and administration of Team New Zealand in their preparation leading up the race. It was present in Finance meetings, HR meetings, sourcing and every other discussion as the guiding principle of why they were there. It didn't matter your role on the greater team, from Captain to coffee-boy, all were aimed at the same objective.

Ask yourself if during the last meeting you were in, if that was the case. I suspect not.

It's a unique organization that can so thoroughly and completely get all involved to move in the same direction, in unison, and have all benefit from the momentum created. We think of culture at an organization as being difficult to craft and nurture, but in reality it's the simplest messages, applied with consistency that help the cream rise to the top.

By the way...they won the race...the boat did go faster.