Everything I Know About Leadership I Learned On My Sailboat - By Rick Williams

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I founded and ran a successful company. As a management consultant for Arthur D. Little, Inc., I worked with senior private and government leaders helping them make difficult decisions. And yes, I graduated from Harvard Business School (HBS).

Regardless of this background, I have said many times that, “Everything I know about leadership I learned on my sailboat.” I race a J 130 from Marblehead, Massachusetts, named CHARIAD. Last year we raced 175 other boats from Newport, RI, to Bermuda. The irony in my life is that CHARIAD may be more “famous” than I am.

Many have asked what I learned about leadership from sailboat racing. Amy Edmondson, the famous HBS professor, asked me during my book launch at the Harvard Club in Boston whether I had learned anything at HBS.

Finally, I sat down and wrote about the leadership lessons I had to master to become a successful sailboat racer and why the same skills are required to be a successful leader of your company – or any organization.

CEOWORLD Magazine published my piece as their lead front page article. Please read the full article HERE.

You will learn something about sailboat racing and the skills required for success in any business. And I share more of my life story.

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