Get Your Ship Together – Business Edition
Scott Sulak
“The parallels between the life of a human and the life of a company are more alike than one might think. It might be argued that a company is not a living being with consciousness. To the contrary I would make the argument that group consciousness is even more identifiable and more pervasive than individual consciousness because there is a greater presence of it in large doses.”
Change, or the pursuit of it, seems to be something everyone wants. While change is what people may always be seeking; “permanent change” is more akin to the holy grail in personal development. Over the last 25 years I have discovered what people really want is a shortcut to permanent and positive change, so I developed one. In short, it has to do with changing behavior using the power of the subconscious mind.
Eureka!
The genesis of ChangeForGood, a free online resources center, was born from my private practice in the Seattle area where I worked for more than a dozen years as a therapist helping people initiate and maintain behavioral change. Most of the time I discovered that my clients truly had the will to change but not necessarily the way. As a mental health practitioner specializing in hypnotherapy and the subconscious mind, I had the unique perspective and position of advisor, guide, coach, teacher; and in some cases, liberator. I use the word liberator because it only seemed as though I was able to free someone from the bonds of their thoughts and habits, but the truth was, they always held the keys to their own personal jail cell, they just did not know it. Being able to provide the cell keys motivated me to create audio programs anyone could use to free themselves from whatever was keeping them stuck in old behaviors and beliefs.
Following the release of 15 single title CDs on the subject of self improvement in the area of subconscious behavior modification, in 2003 I released my 6 CD series, “Get Your Ship Together: Be the Captain of Your Subconscious Mind – A breakthrough approach to permanent change in any area of your life” (GYST), and its companion workbook, “The Ship’s Manifest,” which was the culmination of my life’s work in the field of personal development, change, and the subconscious mind. In my GYST series I compare the conscious mind to that of a ship’s captain and the subconscious mind to that of its faithful and obedient crew. After the series was widely accepted as an effective means of initiating and cementing personal change, I began to search for avenues to bring my knowledge and insights to the place of my early beginnings - the corporate world. My premise was that a company, made up of people just like my clients, could also “ChangeForGood.”
In April of 2007 the perfect opportunity was presented. I joined forces with some old friends to embark upon a new journey in the corporate world. Their company had grown over a 20 year period to become a leader in their industry, but as many companies often experience – their growth had stalled. They invited me to join their executive management team and contribute my unique understanding of business and human behavior to help them “change-for-good.”
Understanding Personal Change
I like to refer to myself as an agent of change. Having clocked tens of thousands of hours with my clients over the years, I have learned that there is a bit of detective work involved when helping an individual redirect their life. To create permanent change in a person’s life, you need to understand:
- How they got there: Personal history – Their “story”
- How they think: self-talk/self perception – What do they say to themselves?
- What they “really” want: Self-esteem / Self-direction.
- What stops them? Self-Sabotage –Self doubt -You need to be sure that no conflicting messages in the subconscious will counteract any new direction that might take: self-doubt.
Corporate Change
The parallels between the life of a human and the life of a company are more alike than one might think. It could be argued that a company is not a living being with consciousness. To the contrary I would make the argument that group consciousness is even more identifiable and more pervasive than individual consciousness because there is a greater presence of it in large doses. The question is (or was for me) is there also a “sub-conscious” in business? I searched for clues in behavior and patterns and noticed there were many similarities between the subconscious behavior of an individual and the behavior in a corporate environment. I am not referring to the behavior of the person who works in the corporate environment, but rather the company itself.
I realized that in order for me to be effective I had to conduct a similar pathway in helping to initiate change within the company:
- How they got there: Company history
- How they think: Company policy
- What they “really” want: Mission statement
- Uncover conflicting messages: Corporate culture
For example, the company was trying to establish itself as a fair and just firm which believed and trusted its sales department to create accurate sales documents in a timely manner. Yet a few years ago, due to an influx of inaccurate paperwork from a handful of sales reps, they initiated a $50 penalty to all offenders. This message was punitive and entirely contrary to the way the company positioned itself, yet this harsh policy was in force for years. When I questioned it, the executives immediately agreed that it was counter productive, and regardless of its original intention, ultimately sent the wrong message to the team. Undoubtedly, it was a clear case of subconscious behavior. The company did not really think that way (#2 above), but the corporate culture (#4 above) had seen it differently. This operates the same way a subconscious mind does in a person’s life.
The Corporate “Sub-Conscious Mind”
If behavior in the corporate world can be subconscious, does that mean there is a “subconscious mind?” The simple answer is yes, but we don’t call it that, we typically call it the corporate culture. It is a way of being that extends beyond the mission statement and beyond corporate or business goals. The corporate culture works in business the same way that self-esteem works for a person. In some fashion it shapes the approach that is used in all areas of the operation. Like self-esteem, it is the “way” one presents or is packaged for the world, but more importantly, it is how the company and its employees see themselves as a group in the world. It is their self-perception, but you won’t find it in any company policy handbook; because it is purely subconscious!
Oceans of Opportunity
In my GYST CD series, I formulated what I term as the “Seven Laws of the Sea,” which I believe are essentials to understand the way things operate in the “sea of life.” I believe they apply to corporate living, as well. If we use the same nautical comparison the company could be seen as a ship, and the employees could be seen as crew members. Then, if we see the vision of the president, chairman of the board, and the executive team as the Captain, we can see how this metaphor serves to demonstrate the similarities between an individual and a corporate or organizational environment.
Employees and company owners can benefit from keeping things “ship-shape” within the company. Healthy thinking promotes a healthy work environment. Healthy work environments promote a healthy business which is sustainable and secure. From my work in the corporate world I have outlined some key points which I believe are important for promoting a healthy work environment. Using the nautical analogy, let’s imagine the company is a ship, the company owner or management is the captain, and the employees are the crew. Use the “manifest” below to steer your ship to abundance and cooperation.
The Seven Laws of the Sea – Business Edition
1. Know your ship and its captain
Corporate Executives and Managers – What message do you believe you are sending to your crew members? Don’t rely on what you think they should be thinking, ask questions, do your own investigation and be honest. Don’t penalize people for giving you straight and honest answers. Do your employees really understand the workings of the ship and how you intend to be? I am not referring to their jobs per se, but think about the culture. Do they see the company as you would want them to?
Employees - Get to know your company and its mission. Find out where your place is on the ship. Decide what you need to do to make a greater or more appropriate contribution to your ship. Help to formulate a mission for your department or group. Again, we are not just talking about your job or your duties, but rather how you (the company) are supposed to interface with each other.
2. Respect your crew
Corporate Executives and Managers – Ask what are we doing as a company to improve our corporate culture? How much do we respect our employees? How do we speak about them privately as well as publicly? How do we think about them? There is an old saying that says: “What you are thinking, speaks so loudly I cannot hear a word you are saying.” Are you procuring a respectful environment? If you are not, you are no different than the client who wants to have a healthy looking body but continues to eat donuts and sweet rolls.
Employees – How much respect are you demonstrating to the company, your managers or co-workers? If you don’t like the culture or think it needs improvement, rather than simply find fault and blame it on the company; instead ask yourself “what can I do to contribute a greater respect for the company and my co-workers? Are you pleasant and earnest in your citizenship, or are have you taken the position of “why bother? Or it is not my job…let someone else do it”. Check in with how respectful you have been lately.
3. Chart a clear destination
Corporate Executives and Managers – First, lead by example. Begin at once to weigh in on how you would like to see things change within the company and start acting congruent with it. If you want everyone to stop behaving in a certain way, be sure that you are the one who is promoting it from the top. Water travels downstream. Start developing a plan that depicts exactly what you want from your crew. They will follow your instructions, but you need to formulate and communicate what you want first. Ask yourself, does the crew know where we are intending on going? Once you know where you want to go…keep your eye on it. Always!
Employees – It is your job to be a good crew member. If you think the ship is heading into rocky waters or is about to be run up on shore; it is your responsibility to respectfully communicate that to the management. It is also you job to find ways to communicate ideas effectively. Simply complaining to your co-workers about how bad things are, or how ineffective the company is not a good example of communication. Develop strategies on how you can improve your own work in your own department. Report your findings to your supervisor or manager. Be creative and have a good attitude.
4. Check your cargo
Corporate Executives and Managers – For management, unwanted baggage or stowaways can come in many forms. Obviously there may be employees who have outlived their usefulness but unwanted baggage can also come in the form of policies that have no longer any use, or systems or beliefs that do not work as well. It might be products that you sell or ways of marketing. Take action on unwanted baggage on your ship, it can not only weigh you down, but it can sink your ship.
Employees – Check in with your own attitudes toward the company, the customers, or the management. Are you doing things in your work that can be considered extra weight? Are you always looking for ways to do things better and more efficiently or are you resistant to changing for best? Are there people you have aligned with that no longer serve the greater good? Take a look at your own cargo and make sure you are not becoming obsolete. When you find excess baggage, toss it overboard!
5. Maintain the vessel
Corporate Executives and Managers- It is ill advised to wait until your ship comes back into port before you start maintenance. Not only does your ship need to look good, it needs to be well oiled and internally maintained. Review your reports, your systems, your equipment, make sure what you do is not simply based on what you have always done. It should be based on what works and is in the best interest of the ship (the company). Many companies continue to do things in a perfunctory manner because it is “how we always have done it” without justifying the merit of “it.” Pay attention to all in the inner workings of your ship.
Employees- Obviously the same would hold true for the jobs that the crew performs. However, maintaining the vessel in this case has more to do with how you as a crew member continues to maintain your own skills. Do you read books that can enhance your abilities? Have you taken any new classes lately? Ask yourself, besides simply doing your job, what have you done lately to become better at what you do? How well are you taking care of your body, your health, your own ship?
6. Watch the winds
Corporate Executives and Managers- Life throws us unexpected challenges that require attention – but can also bring us rich rewards. But we need to be watching for trends that sometimes are clear indicators that a change in course might be needed. If nobody is in the crows nest watching, or if nobody listens to the “look out” then you might wind up on some rocky shore. So be aware that things do change and be ready to turn your ship in to safer waters, if you need to.
Employees- You must also be aware of the winds at sea. You are the captain’s eyes and ears. Watch and advise the changes you see out there on the water. Also, do the same for yourself. Your own life might be changing and in turn it might be affecting your work without you knowing. Check in with how you are showing up in the world, certainly how you are showing up aboard your company ship. You might think everything is business as usual, but your fellow shipmates might think otherwise.
7. Appreciate the chain of command
Corporate Executives and Managers- There is no better example of how important the chain of command is, then a ship as sea. The captain is responsible for the crew and making it from port to port. The management must support the ideals of the captain. However, it must be understood that the crew is the closest link to the sea, and therefore the captain (the management) must take 100% responsibility for hearing what the crew has to say about the journey. That does not mean everything the crew says will ultimately be acted upon, but it must be heard.
Employees- A ship needs a good crew. A good crew keeps everything running smoothly. A loyal crew is always looking out in the best interest of the captain and the ship. Teamwork is an essential part of being aboard a ship. We all need to adopt an attitude that we are “in-this-together.” Negative attitudes and insubordination are the equivalent to treason on the high seas. Crew members are entitled to their opinion, but there is a time and a place for expressing how you feel about something that you feel needs to be changed. As a crew member you should take 100% responsibility to be sure that you positive and constructive thoughts are heard by the right person.
Setting Sail in the New Year
To Corporate Executives and Managers:
Your most precious cargo is your crew. Learn how to cultivate team spirit. Set a good example for your crew. Create a healthy family atmosphere, not matter how large your company is. Demonstrate that you care about ALL crew members.
To Employees:
We all can make our own contribution to the journey in our own unique way this year. Make a promise to yourself to be a good crew member. Will there be frustrations along the way? Yes, count on it. But keep your eye on the horizon and look for opportunities to keep the ship heading in the right direction. Watch out for rogue crew members or stowaways who don’t have the best interest of the ship in mind. Be careful that they aren’t ill intended. Do your best. Always do your best regardless of what anyone else is doing.
“Why are we Masters of our Fate, the captains of our souls? Because we have the power to control our thoughts and attitudes. That is why many people live in the withering negative world. That is why many people live in the positive expectant world. And you don't have to be a poet or a philosopher to know which is best.” - Alfred A. Montapert
Just as in an individual’s life, a business can find itself in stormy seas if the captain and crew are unconsciously working against each other. Imagine how dangerous it could be if the crew (employees) of a corporate ship were receiving confusing or contradictory instructions from the captain (management) while weathering a storm. In today’s economy, any business can suddenly find itself upon the rocks if the entire ship’s complement is not working together towards the same goal. Learning how to be a good captain or good crew member can be as simple as understanding The Seven Laws of the Sea.
Happy Sailing!
Additional Resources
Life-changing CD audio programs by Scott Sulak
Get Your Ship Together 6-CD Series
The Ship's Manifest - Workbook
NLP/Neuro-Linguisitc Programming: The Mind-Body Connection for Rapid Change Free report
About Scott Sulak
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