Who should I call when faced with a significant challenge? Do I have the support network to overcome adversity and setbacks?
I’ve often asked myself these questions in business and more personal situations.
This last Saturday was another stark reminder that a solid support network can make a big difference in how you experience setbacks. Here’s the story:
I participated in a coastal sailing race in Monterey Bay: the Little Boreas.
It follows a 17.5 nautical-mile course that leaves Santa Cruz, California, goes to an upwind mark at Natural Bridges, and then has a direct leg down to Moss Landing in the middle of Bay.
The conditions were mild, with 8-10 knots range winds. It made for a smooth and comfortable ride.
It was my first time with Meghan and Kevin as a crew, so we took it easy, avoiding the crowded start line and safely easing into the race.
After finding ourselves dangerously close to kelp fields, we tacked into the wind more than we wanted and passed the Natural Bridges mark in the second half of the twenty-boat fleet.
From there, it was turbo time! We hoisted the asymmetrical spinnaker, raised the daggerboard, and passed most of the monohulls.
The whole leg felt uneventful, cruising at 8 to 12 knots.
We crossed the finish line fast and under spinnaker, third and last in our small multihull class, but close enough, and we were delighted with the experience.
Ready to sail back to Santa Cruz on a perfect day!
Or so we thought… The world of sailing is always full of surprises.
Right after crossing the line, I decided to jibe under spinnaker—change direction downwind—before returning to Santa Cruz.
Call it a bad judgment!
The finish line was dangerously close to the shore and the Moss Landing harbor channel entrance. There was no room for error, and with a crew (excellent by all accounts) still unfamiliar with such maneuvers, I took a significant risk if the jibe didn’t go well.
Well, the jibe didn’t go well.
The spinnaker got entangled in the stay at the front of the boat. I tried to do another jibe to get things back in order immediately, but it didn’t work. The spinnaker was completely stuck around the stay but still powerful enough to propel us to shore.
There was no good way to head back into the wind or anchor. I desperately tried to turn on the engine to get us into safety, but it all happened too fast, and in seconds, we were in the breaking waves.
Miraculously, we soft-landed on the sandy beach. There are a handful of days in the year when the waves are not dangerously big.
Fortunately, it was one of these days.
We ended up all wet but safe and sound ashore. Despite my bad judgment, we’ve been fortunate. It could have gone awfully wrong. The only visible damage was a broken rudder.
That’s when the role of the support network took on all its dimensions. In this case, both BoatUS, a national vessel assistance network, and my crew.
I called for assistance, and Anthony and Monty from BoatUS were on site in less than one hour. They threw us a line from their rescue boat, to which Kevin from our crew swam. Hats off to Kevin for jumping into the breaking waves of the Pacific Ocean! The boat was towed into the Moss Landing Harbor.
After some back-and-forth to get our trailer, fold the amas, and lower the mast, we drove the boat home to Santa Cruz at night, capping a rich and eventful day!
There is much to learn from this experience that applies to the business crises I’ve encountered, too. Here are the top lessons:
Knowing whom to call when faced with a significant challenge
I called Boat US for immediate assistance because they were a reliable emergency support service. Similarly, in business situations, I’ve always tried to identify upfront the key contacts and resources I could rely on during significant challenges: mentors, advisors, emergency services, or professional networks.
Having a support network to overcome adversity and setbacks
My crew, Meghan and Kevin, played a crucial role in the heart of the crisis, and Kevin’s action in the waves highlights the importance of teamwork and trust. Similarly, building a support network of trusted colleagues, employees, and partners has been essential. Their skills, knowledge, and willingness to act helped me overcome business adversities.
Effective Communication
Clear communication with my crew and the rescue team was critical to resolving the situation. Similarly, effective communication within my support network helped me streamline problem-solving processes and ensure everyone was aligned and informed during crises.
Learning and Growth
Lastly, this event taught me a lot, reinforcing the value of my support network, the importance of preparation, and clear thinking during a crisis. It is similar to the setbacks I faced in business, which provided unique learning opportunities and helped build my experience capital.
The end of our Little Boreas race in Moss Landing this past Saturday is another compelling reminder of the importance of a strong support network in any situation.
Just as my crew and BoatUS were pivotal in our sailing mishap, a well-developed support network can provide the necessary assistance, guidance, and encouragement to navigate business challenges and setbacks.
Thanks again to my crew, Meghan and Kevin. I had promised a day filled with action and emotion! They were served an eventful race, a wet picnic on the beach, and a free swim in the ocean. I hope they’ll trust me again!
Thanks also to the BoatUS team. They rocked, and I’m so glad I subscribed to their assistance. The icing on the cake was that my out-of-pocket cost for the rescue, towing, and rides turned out to be zero.
Be safe out there.