Let’s be honest, closing the gap between what you say and what you do as a leader isn’t easy. It’s especially difficult in maritime, where the stakes are high, the challenges are constant, and you are often juggling conflicting priorities.
But here’s the thing: your say/do ratio, the alignment between your promises and your actions, defines how you’re seen as a leader.
In maritime, this ratio carries extra weight. Whether you are managing vessel operations, navigating regulatory changes, or leading multinational teams, people are relying on you to deliver. Say one thing and do another? That’s a fast track to losing trust, and we all know how hard trust is to rebuild once it’s broken.
But let’s not sugar-coat it, maintaining a high say/do ratio is easier said than done. Promises can feel like they come cheap, especially when you're under pressure to appease stakeholders or reassure your teams in uncertain times. The real challenge is in the doing.
Why the Say/Do Ratio Matters
In the maritime industry, this is about more than credibility; it’s about creating a ripple effect. When you are consistent in delivering what you say, you empower your teams to follow suit. People know they can trust your word, operations become smoother, and stakeholders gain confidence in your leadership.
On the flip side, when your actions don’t match your promises, doubt creeps in—doubt in you, doubt in your strategies, and even doubt in the organisation as a whole.
Bridging the Gap: Practical Steps
1. Set Realistic Promises
It’s tempting to aim high, especially when addressing challenges like sustainability or safety improvements. But biting off more than you can chew risks undermining your credibility. Start with commitments you can keep, and build on those successes.
2. Over-Communicate Progress
People don’t expect perfection—they expect honesty. If you’re making progress but not quite there yet, share updates. Transparency about challenges and achievements keeps trust intact and shows you’re serious about your commitments.
3. Lead by Example
Nothing speaks louder than actions. If you are asking your teams to prioritise safety or embrace new technology, be the first to show how it’s done. Your behaviour sets the tone for everyone else.
4. Learn from Missteps
Let’s face it, nobody has a perfect say/do ratio all the time. When things slip, own it. Acknowledging and correcting your missteps shows integrity and reinforces trust.
The Personal Side of Leadership
Here is where it gets personal. Leadership isn’t just about ticking boxes or delivering KPIs. It’s about people. Your teams look to you not just for direction, but for assurance that what you say matters. They want to believe in you, but you have to give them a reason.
Closing the gap between words and actions is tough. It requires discipline, honesty, and a willingness to face uncomfortable truths about your style of leadership. But when you get it right, the payoff is huge. You’ll inspire confidence, create a culture of reliability, and set a standard that others aspire to meet.
So, next time you make a commitment, ask yourself: am I ready to follow through? Because in maritime leadership, your word is only as good as the actions that back it up.
