Team ethos at the helm

"We need to involve everyone with a common purpose and sense of belonging; to build a boat so full of positive energy and a Can Do! attitude that we make everyone else sick of our smiles,” said 35-year-old British sailor, Mark Preedy, skipper of Uniquely Singapore for the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race.

“Build a solid foundation to which we can all contribute to building a lean mean fighting machine. It will not happen on it own accord; we need dedication,” he added.

Team ethos and unity are clearly key cornerstones of Mark’s leadership, who won the hearts and minds of the crew over with his genuine disposition and sincere words of encouragement.

Keppelite shares intimate details of Mark’s secrets and strategies to leading Uniquely Singapore to victory!


WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE ON THE BOAT?

I personally despise any form of moaning, complaining, whining or whatever you call it. I have a problem with it because it generally means that the person has a negative attitude and if you are going to be negative, you are no good on a boat. We need positive energy.

Every problem is a new opportunity for a solution. Or think about it this way, there are only problems until you solve them.


WHAT LESSON WOULD YOU LIKE TO IMPART TO THE TEAM?

My aim is to teach the team to realise that a sail boat is a living and organic system. The whole is more than the sum of its parts. Each job on board has implications for all other roles onboard the boat. It is about everyone – we are all apart of Uniquely Singapore.

There is a great importance to make everyone be a part of what we are doing, whether you are a full-circumnavigator or legger. Neither party can do it without the other. And I certainly cannot do it without any of them.

As a group we have to demonstrate the ability to have tolerance and acceptance of others.


WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR ON THE BOAT?

My biggest fear is letting my team down. It is the last thing that I want to do. I will give the team my best effort and I will ask for the same from the team in return.


WHAT DISTINGUISHES SUCCESSFUL TEAMS FROM NOT SO SUCCESSFUL ONES?

What distinguishes them is their relentless focus on performance. If we can maintain a continual desire to improve individually and as a team, we will not disappoint.

If we strive to do everything better and be the best we can, if we constantly do and review, we will automatically be looking for ways of improving at all times and become experimental in our approach. That includes better conflict resolution. Better bread making. Better sail change timing. Better helming and trimming. And better coffee making for the skipper!