Steering Your Ship Through Rough Waters - Lessons on Leadership

Keynoting the opening general session of the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show was Captain Richard Phillips, the inspiration for the movie Captain Phillips, starring Tom Hanks. The movie is based on Phillip's book A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy Seals and Dangerous Days at Sea, a fascinating and suspenseful recounting of the first hijacking of a U.S. ship in more than 200 years.

It's the incredible story of a regular man who found the courage to lead his ship and save his crew while besieged by Somali pirates for five days. Phillips not only shared his compelling story as a "floating CEO" in charge of the day-to-day operations of a multi-million dollar ship and its crew, he also drew lessons from the dramatic events that can help you survive and thrive. He discussed the vital importance of leadership and teamwork, combined with a belief that power and potential of yourself and your team, as seen through the eyes of an unassuming hero who conquered one of the world's most extraordinary challenges.

Captain Phillips' Key Takeaways:

1. A successful leader must always hope for the best, but also plan for the worst.

2. As a manager, take care of the little things/details. The small things that go ignored can often become the crisis.

3. A dedicated and focused team can solve any problem.

4. Commit yourself to see a situation through - don't quit or give up.

5. You are much stronger and can do more than you think you can.

6. When you are in a tough situation, it's best to pray for stength and patience rather than rescue.