Friday, November 8, 2013

No better bilge pump than a frightened deckie

Chris Pash, writing for Business Insider, has interpreted some of Salt's wily business advice in a brilliant article. Who woulda thought a review of my book would make it into an online business mag? Because apparently Salt is a consummate businessman as well as a grumpy old fisherman and his wisdom should be heeded!
Here are some quotes and images from The Wisdom of Salt: Grumpy Fisherman's 10 Secrets of Motivation and Leadership.
 
"It is on the official record that, according to Salt, I was carrying out my duty as a lightning rod." Salt Story, p. 161.

 "SECRET 8: Care for your staff. They have many uses. Being the highest point in a metal boat during an electrical storm is one of them."

 Moby Dick. Warner Bros.

Here's another one: "There's no better bilge pump than a frightened deckie." (Salt Story. p.28)

"SECRET 1: Productivity is simple. The art of managing people is knowing when to do push and when to do nothing. If you are in an open boat in a storm, nothing you say or do will make your deckhand bail out the water any faster. Best to sit back, hand on the tiller and enjoy watching the deckhand’s frantic efforts. Very entertaining. The fear of death creates a sharp rise in productivity."

 Kon-Tiki, The Weinstein Company

7 comments:

  1. That is very funny and also very true, I suspect. Have you really created a new business philosopher so soon?

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    1. That was never my intention. A happy accident and some help from Chris, I reckon.

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  2. Unusual to find a witty financial journalist, he clearly liked your book and judging by the one liners, so will I!

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    1. No being one who hangs out in the financial pages, I wouldn't know. But Chris has read the book as a draft. He's the one who wrote on the cover blurb "Salt should be sent to lecture in the corridors of Canberra and corporate boardrooms. Vital reading."

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  3. I love it Sarah. This came through my facebook page via Fremantle Press this morning. I *want* to be a sailor, my uncle was an old sea dog, looked like Captain Haddock, and liked the run. My cousin is a captain of big boats in the Mediterranean. I love the idea of it, the romance, the adventure, but the reality makes me sick and the thought of long weeks on the ocean scares the shit out of me. It's like the potential for two of the scariest movies - Jaws and Dead Calm. Oh then there was Poseidon Adventure too. But something pulls me to the idea.

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  4. Hi Melba, I think this book may appeal to those who like the IDEA of going to sea but are happy just to read about it!
    That said, once you start a life on the water it is terribly addictive.

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  5. Awesome, it's for me then. And I meant to say above my Uncle loved the rum. But maybe the run sounds good too - like pirates running guns or something.

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