Leadership at Every Level
Development of Guiding Principles
During deployment on the USS Santa Fe, Captain Marquet emphasized the importance of establishing clear guiding principles for the crew. These principles were collaboratively developed to ensure each crew member could make informed decisions based on a consistent foundation. This development involved gathering inputs from officers and chiefs and refining them to fit on a single page, which was intended to ensure focus and relevance.
Defined Guiding Principles of USS Santa Fe
The USS Santa Fe adopted several key guiding principles, designed to direct and improve the daily operations and decision-making processes of the crew. These principles include: - Initiative: Encouraging proactive behaviors to enhance knowledge, prepare for missions, and solve problems efficiently. - Innovation: Emphasizing the need for creative approaches and tolerating failures in low-risk areas. - Intimate Technical Knowledge: Urging every crew member to thoroughly understand their responsibilities and the submarine’s systems. - Courage: Focusing on ethical behavior and honesty, even when admitting mistakes. - Commitment: Encouraging presence and full engagement in tasks. - Continuous Improvement: Seeking perpetual enhancement of processes and personal growth. - Integrity: Maintaining honesty in communications and self-assessments. - Empowerment: Supporting subordinate decision-making and accepting associated risks. - Teamwork: Promoting supportive interactions and collective responsibility. - Openness: Valuing open communication and self-reflection. - Timeliness: Recognizing the importance of punctuality and efficiency in all operations.
Practical Application of Guiding Principles
To integrate these principles effectively into the submarine’s culture, they were not merely displayed but actively applied in daily operations, including: - Behavioral Reinforcement: Awards and evaluations referenced these principles to reinforce desired behaviors. - Leadership Adaptability: Captain Marquet adjusted his responses and actions to align with these principles, setting an example of continuous personal alignment with the established guidelines.
Challenges with Organizational Principles
The chapter stresses the importance of having guiding principles that truly reflect the organization's actual practices rather than idealistic aspirations. Discrepancies between stated and operational priorities can lead to confusion and misaligned decisions within the crew.
Mechanism for Clarity
The chapter concludes by affirming the role of guiding principles as a mechanism for enhancing organizational clarity. It emphasizes the importance of every crew member understanding and being able to apply these principles in decision-making processes.
Reflective Questions
- Consider the simplicity and clarity of your organization's guiding principles.
- Evaluate how these principles are communicated and whether they are actively used in performance assessments.
- Reflect on the alignment of your guiding principles with the actual priorities and values of your organization.