After exploring the terra firma metaphor of 4 by 4ing for a couple of posts, I thought I would return to the realm of boating that fuels my passion and is responsible for the name of my business. Much like when I learned more about Gimbal Systems, I recently came across another fantastic boating terminology that metaphorically represents what I’m seeking to help my clients achieve as productive leaders or members of effective teams that achieve the results they desire.
The phrase is called the center of effort. In sailboat design, specifically sail design, it is the point of origin in a sail where the six different aerodynamically (wind) forces come together to drive the boat forward. A slightly simpler way of putting it is the center of effort is where the sailboat with it’s multiple sails reaches it’s optimal balance point. To experience this is a design ideal that is not easily attained in practice as you can probably imagine.
The moment comes when you know you have found it is when at the helm of the boat you can let go of the tiller or wheel and the boat continues merrily on its path toward its destination. Athletes call this being in the zone, when all their preparation and training comes together at the right moment and suddenly they can’t miss. It is magic when it occurs and anyone that has experienced in any way will probably break out in a wide smile upon remembering what it felt like. Ofcourse, those moments are fleeting and the challenge is always to try and repeat them more often.
In life and business, just like sailing and athletics, there are many forces at work that are constantly interfering with our individual and collective ability to find and stay in our center of effort. In sailing the position of center of effort will vary with sail plan, sail trim or airfoil profile, boat trim and point of sail. Each sail on a boat has it’s own center of effort, so when there are two or more sails being used at the same time, that changes the combined center of effort as the visual below shows. Add the boat design, ocean and weather conditions to all of this it only gets more complex.
This is exactly the same for leaders and their teams. Each individual team member has their own center of effort that is unique to them and their design based upon their background and experience. Put a few individuals together and the combined center of effort shifts for the team as a result. Add to this the ever changing business landscape, team make up and desired outcomes and the result is a very dynamic and hard to pinpoint the center of effort for any team.
So the question becomes how to find that elusive sweet spot where everything comes together to create drive and lift to move the boat in the desired location with maximum efficiency and balance. Design schematics are one thing, making it happen in real time is the fun and challenging part of working with teams. This is what makes individual and collective effectiveness so challenging and yet so compelling. Finding and maintaining the optimal flow that is found in the center of effort is what we want to help leaders and their teams harness. It is something we will continue to explore and write about but the desired result looks and feels something like this image below.
First of all I would like to say excellent blog! I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your
thoughts prior to writing. I have had difficulty clearing my mind
in getting my thoughts out there. I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be wasted simply just trying to figure out how
to begin. Any suggestions or tips? Many thanks!
Thanks for the comment and getting started is hard for sure. First I go to a place that is conducive to writing, quiet, inspirational and different than where I do my day to day work. Then I try to take three deep breathes and just start. Let go of it being right or perfect and just get going. The momentum takes over and you are off and going with something to work with versus thinking about what it should be. Hope it helps and happy writing.