What it takes to be “Ship Shape”, British style – Mary T. O’Sullivan

By Mary T. O’Sullivan, MSOL

“[Ship Shape] is of nautical origin, based on the obligation of a sailor to keep his or her quarters arranged neatly and securely due to the limited space typically allotted to service members aboard ship, and against turbulence at sea.” Wiktionary

            If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep over 3,000 passengers and crew happy and safe at sea, look no further than the leadership style of the Cunard Line, and the Queen Mary 2. The QM2 is the largest ocean liner in the world, and is currently the only ocean liner in service today. It is also the only ship voyaging between New York and Southampton, England, Traveling seven days on the high seas of the open North Atlantic Ocean. I recently completed a transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton on the QM2, and was impressed by the ship’s adherence to the hallmarks of good leadership.

            For centuries, Navies around the world have kept order and discipline aboard ship, with trained sailors in every quarter. Navy ships are out to sea around the world for six to seven months at a time. Every person on a Military ship has a duty to fulfill, and faces consequences if not completed correctly, as the lives of everyone aboard is at stake. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, although built for comfort, elegance, and pleasure, imposes similar discipline in its operation. Every member of the crew has strict rules to abide by, and they are enforced with the same adherence as in any Navy. Passengers, as it turns out, must also adhere to rules on the ship to completely enjoy their trip.

            Aside from the expected leadership of the captain and his merchant marine trained crew, and the requisite safety rules, aboard the QM2 you’d better be comfortable with specifics about dress, comportment, and time. The ship, although owned by the American cruise line Carnival, has British blood running though its veins. After 6:00PM, dress is formal, with a dress code spelled out in advance. Anyone not adhering to the dress code will not be admitted to certain venues, and there are no exceptions.

Casual clothing is permitted only in certain areas, and deck wear can’t include bathing suits or shorts, which are reserved for the pool and workout areas only. Americans quickly learn the meaning of “Smart Attire”, which includes jacket and tie for men, and elegant slacks, dresses, and gowns for women. I was baffled by the requirement for three evening gowns and three cocktail dresses, but soon realized they are required for entry to the formal dining room and the cocktail lounges other than the customary traditions of the ship’s English pub, the Golden Lion, with its laid-back atmosphere.

            Cunard strives to emphasize the British experience and so there are rules for all meals, including afternoon tea. If taking tea in the formal ballroom, teatime is one hour in length, anyone entering after the 4:30PM end time is turned away. We learned first-hand the proper way to enjoy tea, with the teapot handle facing the pourer, and the cream handle facing the drinker. Tiny sandwiches and sweet cakes appeared on silver trays presented by white waistcoated servers, along with traditional scones and clotted cream, which I mistook for butter and was quickly corrected by my server. The rules include the selection of silverware and glassware. Best to review the proper order of each before dining on the QM2.

            Each day at noon, the ship’s captain gave a 15-minute update on sea conditions, our location in the ocean, sea and air temperatures, and how many miles we’d Traveled through the ocean. He would mention storms he was avoiding and how far we were from the site of the sunken Titanic.  A daily “programme”, left by the steward with the evening turn down service, provided the day’s dizzying number of activities, but the comfy deck chairs and warm sun beckoned me on most days.

            To gain a glimpse into the British experience, a transatlantic crossing on the QM2 might be the trip for you. Americans need to remember that Cunard’s leadership approach is disciplined and formal, aiming to stay true to traditions established early in the British maritime traditions. The captain and his crew expertly navigate the ship through some of the roughest waters in the world, making the trip seem effortless, and leading safe passage for thousands of people each year. The operation of the QM2 reflects leadership at its best, effective communication, delivering on the company’s mission, vision, values, culture, and goals, and a sense of unity and harmony among the team. With these characteristics, the ship carries on with hardly any notice, and the passenger experience is like no other. The QM2 operation truly embodies the idea of “shipshape”.

“It’s not so much the ship as the skillful sailing that assures the prosperous voyage.” – George William Curtis

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Read all Mary’s columns here: https://rinewstoday.com/mary-t-osullivan-msol-pcc-shrm-scp/

Mary T. O’Sullivan, Master of Science, Organizational Leadership, International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach, Society of Human Resource Management, “Senior Certified Professional. Graduate Certificate in Executive and Professional Career Coaching, University of Texas at Dallas. Member, Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Honor Society. Advanced Studies in Education from Montclair University, SUNY Oswego and Syracuse University. Mary is also a certified Six Sigma Specialist, Contract Specialist, IPT Leader and holds a Certificate in Essentials of Human Resource Management from SHRM.