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

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I am racing my J 130 sailboat, CHARIAD, from Newport, RI, to Bermuda. I did not click SEND to get you this edition of my newsletter. Constant Contact scheduled this to go out while I am at sea.

You can see where we are – and 150 other sailboats – by going to the Bermuda Race website. We are also posting pictures and videos from the boat during the race on Facebook and YouTube. Take a moment to check out our race progress and what racing in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is like when you are on the boat.

Bermuda Race Website: https://bermudarace.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CHARIAD-Racing 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chariadracing

My article, Everything I Know About Leadership I Learned On My Sailboat, was published earlier this year in CEOWORLD Magazine. Go to the article HERE

Preparing the boat, sails, and crew for the Bermuda Race requires the same skills and faces the same challenges as launching a new business, new product, new division, and yes, a marriage. Start by clearly defining the opportunity. Sketch out a vision of success. Create options for achieving success. Be realistic about the execution barriers. Decide what you will do and what you will not do. Finally, execute on your plan.

We are in the execution phase of our plan. As we sail 640 miles from Newport to Bermuda, the weather and winds are constantly changing, and we must deal with very complex, strong, and changing Gulf Stream currents. We are racing against very well-prepared boats with talented crews.

Everyone on CHARIAD is a volunteer who wants to race across the Atlantic on CHARIAD as part of this team. We worked hard to prepare for the race, and each of us will do our part to contribute to the team’s success and the boat’s success.

Cheer us on!

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, Nearing Completion

Pope Leo XIV inaugurated the Sagrada Familia’s tallest tower as recognition of the Basilica’s monumental achievement as it nears completion. Construction began 144 years ago, guided by Antoni Gaudi’s vision for a cathedral unlike any other in Europe.

I visited the Basilica several years ago and was awed by the scale, architectural concept, biblical storytelling by statuary, and colorful illumination of the interior. Rather than traditional stained glass windows, gigantic windows with different-colored glass constantly splash changing colors across the Basilica’s interior.

Barcelona is a wonderful city to visit, with the Sagrada Familia as a special treat.