As a leader you strive to increase the performance of your team. Sometimes you only need to look in the mirror to see why things failed. One of the best known failures of leadership was Captain William Bligh, of HMS Bounty fame. Without getting too in-depth into a discussion of Bligh, I will try to make four important points that you probably didn’t learn in the movie and mistakes you may be also making.
First, Captain Bligh was an incredibly talented sailor. As a ships navigator he possessed incredible skills to plot accurate courses for the fleets. He knew the ships he sailed on from stem to stern. His abilities as a seaman were never in doubt. The best sea captains in the British Navy would recruit him to lead their ships on long distant voyages. When Captain Cook circumnavigated the world Lieutenant Bligh charted the course. Like many in the modern business world he was he was extremely competent at a baseline level, and eager to move up.
Second, As Bligh moved up the ranks he began to make many of the same mistakes I see in offices today. He had the competencies of his last assignment but could not satisfactorily make the jump to the next level of responsibility. Bligh failed as a leader because he violated many accepted codes of conduct required for the level of ship’s captain. His leadership and management values began to change. He lost contact with critical skills which made him great as a junior officer. I see many officer supervisors justify that they needed to change their values as they moved up because their new jobs required them to be more flexible. Wrong, as you move up you must maintain the values that made you successful or you will shift with the currents.
Third, Bligh attempted to be the popular captain. Many new leaders likewise try to be popular in their offices. By attempting to be popular he fluctuated in the levels of discipline he would accept from the crew. Four, he punished minor offenses more strictly than accepted levels on other ships. During severe incidents the punishment given was far less harsh than what was expected. In short, through fluctuating on punishments he left his crew guessing what the captain would do next. I see this same thing happening at all levels in modern industry. Leaders are afraid to take a consistent stand on performance that they actually cause lower performance and undercut their own credibility. Find out how effective your skills are as a leader and manager, and see if you are Captain Bligh.
Lessons for you to apply to be effective as a leader and manager:
• Build the skill sets required of your new level. Be as competent at your new level as you were at your old level. Know the important tasks to be accomplished.
• Maintain your value compass. Your values made you successful so don’t change what worked for you.
• Do not try to be popular. If you are a great leader first, a good manager second, then success will follow your team. Success creates popularity, not the other way around.
• Be consistent with rewards and punishment. Wavering on either one will cause people to question your judgment and this will impact your effectiveness.
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