A submarine at sea is a uniquely dangerous, complex and inhospitable environment to inhabit. Operating blind, in hostile environments without any outside contact it is a lonely and stressful existence. Add to this the inability to discuss anything of your time at sea. These factors contribute to build a Submariner culture that is unique, resilient and impressive in equal measure.
Clearly motivation of a crew living under these conditions is a tough ask but 100 years of Submarine Operations and 500 years of Naval Operations has produced a powerful and simple model for leadership culture that is worthy of consideration.
“As submariners, our priority is to keep the submarine and those onboard safe, while remaining undetected and achieving our aim”
Commodore P.M.J. Scott, CSC, RAN – Submarine Command: A retrospective for Submariners
These priorities are a hierarchy
1. Safety of the boat;
2. Remain undetected, and
3. Achieve the aim
This hierarchy embodies the leadership ethos of the Commander (CO) and is perhaps the key driver of culture on the boat. It certainly provides the Submarine Commander with a powerful motivational message to the boats crew in that it tells them that they will not attempt to conduct any mission in which they cannot assure the safety of the crew and boat. Certainly in the current Western Navy context a strategic asset such as a Submarine will not be sacrificed in order to achieve the aim, which reinforces the crew’s belief in the CO’s priority no.1.
If you seek to build engagement, loyalty, motivation and commitment within your team in support of your organisation’s objectives; starting with the health, happiness and well-being of your people is a bloody good place to start.
Backing up your words of intent with actions is of course imperative and this will quickly permeate through your team and slowly but surely throughout your organisation.
The priority to remain undetected is analogous to your Organisations beliefs and values. In the world of the Submariner you cannot ensure safety without stealth and this speaks to the culture of the Silent Service. It says that the CO will not compromise on the culture, belief and values of the Service in order to seek out achievement of a mission.
remain undetected
Remaining undetected is analogous to pride and belief in your product, service or organisation’s reasons for being. Will you take a short cut, low-cost low quality component, short term price hike etc. to achieve your target? A Submarine CO will not, nor would Steve Jobs or countless other Leaders of true best in class Organisations. You must ensure your decisions do not compromise your long term strategy, or your organisations beliefs, values and culture.
Finally, you will now have a Team who know:
you will look after them above all else, and that
your product, service, long-term strategy, values and beliefs will not be compromised to seek some short or medium term objective.
Your team will now willingly go after your aim in a sustainable manner…
achieve the aim
that is all, Dickie
