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Why the Titanic Sank: Sweat the Small Stuff
Written by: Ralph JacobArticle Overview: Most of us don't realize how the small stuff can get in the way. This article desicribes how one minor oversight caused the deaths of hundreds and sank the largest vessel of its time. It wasn't the expensive hardware, it was something we can buy on Amazon.com.
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Free Download - Why the Titanic Sank: Sweat the Small Stuff By Ralph Jacob |
Why the Titanic Sank: Sweat the Small Stuff
Last week I went to see the Titanic exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota. What a treat. To see the artifacts in such wonderful condition after so many years at the bottom of the ocean was a remarkable experience.
What was most intriguing to me was to learn one of the little known facts about why the ship and its passengers met its tragic fate. Yes I knew it was traveling too fast for the conditions. Yes, I knew the ship speed was, “slow forward,” even though the captain ordered it to be idle. What I did not know was that the sailor in the bird’s nest was able to see only as far as his eyeglasses allowed.
Despite all the extra safety precautions such as the extra armor, extra compartments with doors that sealed, modern hydraulic systems and engines and the largest girth in history, the one item they forget to pack was…binoculars.
Unfortunately, all the attention went to the detail of taking care of the passengers. Fine china and silver for the first class passengers; wonderful food for even the second class passengers; the best third class accommodations at that time. But binoculars and sufficient life boats were not a priority.
Who said, “Don’t sweat the small stuff?” Tough lessons for some of us (like me) who prefer to focus on the big picture. Leadership lessons?
• Change is tough because we never know what is really important…what we have to have in our bags somewhere further down the journey
• Don’t forget the basics when implementing change. Focus on both the day-to-day and the long term
• The Captain’s orders are not always properly received or followed. The disconnect between layers of management or between functions is an unfortunate. It is a persistent consequence of organization life. The interference between intent and action can derail the best plans
• Large size is in and of itself a weak insulator from the external changes. Constant reinvention is a necessary precursor for long term success…
• Yet, change is also fraught with danger
If you have the time and opportunity, I can recommend the exhibit.
The More You Sweat, The Less You "Sweat"
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Lesson #2: “The Titanic disaster brought radio to the front, and also me.”
Article Tags: bottom of the ocean, change focus, class accommodations, class passengers, external changes, fine china, fraught with danger, hydraulic systems, implementing change, leadership lessons, life boats, little known facts, organization life, reinvention, remarkable experience, science museum of minnesota, ship speed, small stuff, titanic exhibit, tragic fate
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About the Author: Ralph Jacob RSS for Ralph's articles - Visit Ralph's website 
For more than twenty-five years Ralph Jacobson provided innovative solutions for Fortune 50 organizations as well as emerging growth companies in a wide variety of industries. For the last seventeen years he has been the Principal of The Leader's Toolbox and Synthesis Consulting, Inc. He has held executive Human Resource positions with Medtronic, Crosfield Dicomed, and General Growth Center Companies. Ralph has written extensively in the areas of leadership and organization change. His book, Leading for a Change: How to Master the Five Challenges Faced by Every Leader, published in 2000, was named one of the top business books by mgeneral.com. The book created the framework to build The Leader's Toolbox® methodology. He has contributed to The Change Champion's Field Guide, and published articles in The American Management Association's, MWorld, American Executive, Chief Learning Officer Magazine, and American College of Physicians Executive journal. In 2005, 2007 & 2008, Ralph was recognized by Leadership Excellence magazine as one of the top ten leadership developers in the country. He was also recognized by the magazine in 2005 as providing one of the most innovative leadership development solutions. Ralph has served as adjunct faculty at the University of St. Thomas for more than ten years. He has taught in the Executive MBA program and is currently teaching in the Physician's Leadership College. Ralph has been a featured speaker at numerous professional conferences. He is a member of the National Speakers Association and the World Wide Association of Business Coaches. Ralph received the American Express Quality Award for his consulting work. He was an examiner for the Minnesota Quality Award. He holds advanced degrees in psychology and human resources from The Ohio State University and the University of Minnesota. Ralph resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife of 31 years. Click here to visit Ralph's website   Healthcare Leadership in Uncertain Times Creating a Leadership Development Agenda That Works Need a coach Select wisely Human Resources Getting to the Leadership Table Why the Titanic Sank Sweat the Small Stuff |
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