On Watch

A column by Peter Schrappen

Taking a look at the Harvard Business Review’s feature in 2007, “A Leader’s Framework for Decision Making,” it hit me like a ferry foghorn coming across Puget Sound. COVID-19 has brought us face to face with the chaos context, which requires an entirely new way of thinking and decision-making than what we are typically accustomed. While the authors’ prescription is not exactly applicable to boating, it’s a good reminder to take it easy on yourself and others as we set forth on a completely new way of living. Moving forward, I am reminded of the professional optimist and author Simon Sinek’s push to ask yourself why you exist first and not rush into what you do or how you do it. That’s good advice for anyone who takes to Northwest Yachting with a love affair for boating. Do you love boating because it’s part of your pursuit of happiness, or is it the new boat and the gadgets you adore? As someone who has the good fortune to work on boating issues for a living, I am spending oodles of time on the “why” question, too. I have decided to double down on my core principles in this new COVID-19 era with the flexibility to continue to stay open to new ideas. Case in point is the recent decision to cut Seattle Harbor Patrol by the Seattle City Council from 30 to 28 officers. There’s a core boating principle here: Safe boating is fun boating informs the perspective that a fully funded Harbor Patrol is essential to protect boating safety. A second core principle that continues to serve me well is to protect (and grow) boating legislative champions whenever possible. Keeping in mind that over 90% of incumbents win their races, and as Dale Carnegie teaches, “It’s easier to get an existing customer to buy again then to recruit a new customer,” it is more strategic to donate to existing boating friends in the legislature than to chase the shiny customer (I mean lawmaker). The Northwest Marine Trade Association’s PAC has followed Carnegie’s philosophy and supported incumbents that are boat advocates in 2020. Looking ahead to election day, the headlines will get caught up in the latest tweetstorm. I would encourage you to control what you can control when it comes to politics. This mindset will serve you well during this chaotic time. If you want your elected officials to know more about you or boating, spend some time helping get them elected. Trust me, they will not forget you. This reminds me of another tenet: Once elected, lawmakers do not want any new friends. It’s true. Once they are in office, it’s easy for the public to reach out and befriend them. They have won, after all. If you are frustrated that you don’t hear back and/or have a meaningful relationship with your public officials, then act now. Finding out who your state representative is and volunteering to help them make phone calls is just one practical way to increase your impact. Building this relationship (or as I see it, putting deposits into this relationship bank) pays off a dividend down the road when you need something or need help on an issue. You bet it’s a crazy time. Let’s admit it’s a crazy time and get on the water as much as possible to get away from it. When that’s not happening, consider befriending your lawmaker. As you’ve read here before, politics matters because it decides just about everything that happens on the water, fun or otherwise. The louder our chorus and the more soloists step forward singing the same song, the more likeable we will be. And that’s more fun for everyone.