Bad day? Bad is a relative term…
So, I’m partial to watching a bit of TV now and then – just to unwind, you understand. In particular, I’ve watched and enjoyed the last three series of ‘Deadliest Catch’. It’s all gripping stuff…
have a look
Now, for those who have never seen it, this is a series about a bunch of hard-core sea captains and their crews that fish the Bering Sea, in winter, harvesting crab. It’s all the usual stuff – forty foot waves, sub zero conditions, fighting amongst the crew (who live on top of each other and work 30 hour shifts) and the ability to smoke 140 cigarettes each per day.
To finish this last series they showed a compilation program entitled “the best of the worst”. Basically this was the seven series condensed into one hour of nightmare mishaps. I’ve recorded it. I’m going to keep it. I’ve left my wife strict instructions that if I ever mention having a bad day that she sits me down and makes me watch this again.
So the next time you come home and kick the cat after a ‘bad day’ at work, remember that ‘bad’ is a relative term….
Bad day?
Optimize Blog - August 27, 2009 - 2 comments
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Bob Bradley
Do Management Consultants have “bad days?” I suppose one of those fishing vessels could hire you to help them improve their process (I’m not sure leadership is as important in the Bering Strait).
Crox
Management Consultants have bad days – don’t start me off….
Leadership is an interesting concept at sea where very much like in the theatre of war the captain has sole command, makes all the decisions and is accountable for everything. In the series any hint of disrespect or disobediance was dealt with swiftly and harshly – a 30 hour shift was no excuse for failure to obey.
Now we’ve met some leaders in business who like it that way even though there is no risk of imminent death as opposed to being at sea, at war or in hazardous environment where that autocratic style might be appropriate..
In some ways there are plenty of employees who like it that way too – no responsibility, not held accountable and it’s always somebody else’s fault.