On land or sea, smooth sailing requires leadership and a well-run crew

I recently toured the San Juan Islands of Washington state in a 38-foot catamaran. These islands, the gateway to Canada, are in the northwestern corner of the lower 48. Pristine water. Mountain vistas. Crisp air. Quaint little islands.

Our eclectic crew of eight, which consisted of friends, friends of friends, and family of friends, chartered the catamaran for six nights. On many days, a dolphin swam alongside us, or the occasional seal poked its head out to watch us. On a couple of occasions, we also saw spouts from the resident orca pod.

The experience reminded me of the connections between sailing with a crew and practicing optometry. Here, I explain.

Knowing the ropes

Every crew member or member of the practice team serves a purpose. There is no room for confusion — everyone must know the ropes. It starts with a leader or skipper who provides clear communication and guidance. To create the best efficiencies, it’s incumbent upon the crew to work together as a well-run team, with each crew member having their assigned duties.

On the water, these duties can include controlling the lines, grabbing mooring balls for anchoring, guiding when entering a marina, and, in the Pacific Northwest, watching for ferries that may emerge from the morning fog. (The last thing you want is to collide with a ferry.) The most critical assignments can be those considered the most repellent — for example, regularly emptying the holding tanks, also known as “poo pumping.”

In the office, the team’s responsibilities can entail answering the phone, scheduling patients, billing insurance, prepping patients, processing optical orders, and dispensing glasses. Additionally, staff may clean, or “swab the deck,” so to speak when necessary. It’s all part of the journey.

All hands on deck

We had a little mishap when some crew members misjudged the rising tides on an island, and our dinghy suddenly floated away. But the crew quickly mobilized and retrieved said dinghy using a paddle board.

Like the catamaran crew, our practice team mobilizes to help one another when things go awry. That’s the sign of a good crew.

Marveling at calm seas

When one is sailing, the engines are off, and you marvel at the peacefulness. The only sound is the wind in the sails. The skipper might express gratitude for a job well done.

Our offices might not be silent, but there are those days when things are as smooth as the glassy waters between the islands of the Pacific Northwest. It’s a time to express gratitude.

May you have fair winds and following seas. OM

DR. CARLSON was the first woman to serve as president of the American Optometric Association. Most recently, she was a 2019 recipient of Women of Optometry’s Theia Award for Leadership. In addition to her optometric leadership, Dr. Carlson is a 2020 graduate from the University of Jamestown, with a Master of Arts in Leadership, as well as a John Maxwell-certified speaker and trainer.