Last Saturday, I participated in the Double-Handed Farallones Race with my dear friend Luc.
What was initially meant to be a tonic race day on the ocean turned into a unique practice for safely handling a small trimaran and surviving in inclement weather!
This short video will give you a solid sense of what we experienced.
We also got reminded of a few powerful leadership lessons and effective decision-making in highly uncertain environments.
I’ll come back to these top lessons later, but first, the story of that day on the ocean:
If you’re unfamiliar with the Farallones, it’s a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean about fifty kilometers West of San Francisco. This wildlife refuge is surrounded by one of the most spectacular marine ecosystems on the planet, with rare bird species and feeding grounds for whales and white sharks.
They are also sometimes called the Devil’s Teeth Islands, in reference to the many treacherous underwater shoals nearby that can lead to dangerous breaking waves and currents. People have died while racing there.
We sail Quixotic, a 24-foot trimaran, in Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay. As Farallones Rookies, we were told the race and the open ocean conditions could be quite demanding. This year’s edition didn’t disappoint!
After being all over the place in the past week, the forecast models eventually aligned on race day for southerly winds, but they still disagreed on how strong the wind and sea state would be.
Best Decision of the Day #1
We started the race with a reduced sail area (Reef #1 and jib for sailors). That allowed relatively smooth sailing from the Golden Gate Bridge into the Ocean.
Best Decision of the Day #2
One hour into the race, it became clear that the forecast for stronger winds was about right. We decided to reduce our sail area further (Reef #2).
Soon enough, the wind and sea became stronger beyond any forecast model. After less than three hours, we were approaching the Farallones. Our sail set-up was becoming hard to sustain, and the sea state made it touch and go. We were now in gale conditions.
Best Decision of the Day #3
We decided to calm things down and heave to. Heave to is a sailing maneuver used as a quick braking maneuver to slow forward progress. That way, we could wait and see how things were shaping up.
Forecast models had indicated a potential peak around that time and then some improvement.
That improvement never came! Instead, we were hit with 30+ knot winds and a big ocean swell.
While heaving to, we were keeping a close eye on our progress vs. Farallones. The last thing we wanted was to crash or capsize in breaking waves! The current was safely drifting us away. We passed south of the Farallones and got a few miles past.
Best Decision of the Day #4
Once we were clear of the Islands by a solid margin, we took the main down and decided to return under jib only (the smallest head sail).
Given the uncertainty of the wind evolution and sea state, we didn’t risk trying to round the Farallones and be caught by strong currents into breaking waves on the North side of the Islands. We started to head back to the Bay. So, we were disqualified at this stage for not rounding the Islands, but the boat reacted well, and we felt safe.
Four hours later, we were back in the sheltered waters of the San Francisco Bay. I was glad we made it to the Farallones and back without breaking anything, and we had learned a lot about handling our small trimaran in inclement weather.
Reflecting on our sailing experience that day, I could draw a parallel with many business situations I’ve been in. Here are my top 5 lessons:
#1—Adaptability and Flexibility
We faced evolving conditions that differed from initial forecasts. We had to continuously assess the situation and adjust our sail area to navigate safely. Being adaptable and flexible in changing circumstances has also been crucial to me in business. As a leader, I’ve had to be willing to adjust strategies, plans, and even goals to stay on course and achieve some degree of success.
#2 – Risk Management
When encountering gale conditions and uncertainty, we prioritized safety by heaving to and eventually deciding to return under reduced sail. Similarly, in business, I’ve had to constantly assess risks and make decisions, prioritizing my team’s and the organization’s well-being. Managing risks effectively involves balancing expected rewards with potential dangers and being willing to take calculated risks when necessary.
#3 – Decision-Making Under Pressure
We made a series of critical decisions under challenging circumstances, such as reducing sail area and heaving to. These decisions required quick thinking, clear communication, and a willingness to deviate from original plans. In business, I’ve often faced high-pressure situations where I must make decisions rapidly. Developing the ability to make sound judgments under pressure is essential for navigating complex environments successfully.
#4 – Redefined Success
Despite being disqualified for not rounding the Farallones, we considered the journey a success because of prioritized safety and learned valuable lessons. This highlights the importance of redefining success based on evolving circumstances and priorities. My best business successes did not always align with our initial goals or expectations. I’ve had to be willing to adapt my definition of success and celebrate achievements, even if they diverge from the original plan.
#5 – Continuous Learning and Growth
We acknowledged that we learned much about handling our trimaran in these challenging conditions. Similarly, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth in my business endeavors has been essential for long-term success. As a leader, I’ve done best when I could encourage experimentation, reflection, and skill development among team members to adapt to changing environments and stay ahead.
Solid reminders and lessons learned! We’ll soon be back in another race, on the ocean or at the office, rich with all these insights that make us stronger leaders and decision-makers.