What are the plans for the future? Or what is your destination? These are questions we deal with daily, because events from the past influence our plans. Some events seem insignificant, others continue to challenge us, while sailing into unknown waters. Perhaps, the bruising waves will make us seasick or homesick. Well, we asked for it and here it comes, hold on to the railing and don’t be swept overboard.

I still remember vividly the experiences during my early years as an engineering student, sailing daily for two hours by tug boat to an offshore worksite at sea. We were often buffeted by storms, wind and waves while a competent captain steered us through heavy weather to our destination. It was a tough work experience, but it steeled my character and made me determined to adjust and deal with the reality of work and how to make a contribution.

Our living is filled with lifetime memoirs that are significant, because they can turn experiences into a life with new direction and inspiration. Strategic planning encounters similar challenges in moving through storms and obtaining a profitable work share in competitive markets.

Having to adjust capacities and overcoming difficulties and barriers takes deep thinking, drawing on courage and vision in securing and molding an aligned work community. Assessment to risks and adjusting personally is not a job for faint hearted people.

During my 50 years of leadership in the Maple Reinders Group, it has always been a prime focus to obtain interesting projects for our staff, requiring distinct and special skills in establishing niche market positions with better profitability. It takes careful project selection, building an image and confidence in setting priorities, being backed by a committed company work community. Although times have changed with technology, this policy is a core value that must be maintained.

A team culture working together has to grapple with a vison: Why are we here? And how can we make a difference? What contribution can we make? And are we serious? In a modern and growing company, Mr. or Ms. “Me First” shows up and wants to dominate the conversation, avoiding listening. In contrast, it is a visionary, observing and listening corporate culture that creates a successful Company.

Culture is the tool to devise an atmosphere which stimulates a progressive work community…So Listen, Observe, Think and Act.