Lead by Example: The Most Underrated Power Move in Sailing and Business

We talk a lot about strategy.

We talk about performance.
We obsess over wins — and yeah, wins matter.

But the longer I spend in both the business world and the competitive sailing scene, the more one thing keeps proving true:

👉 Setting the example beats shouting directions. Every. Damn. Time.

Whether you're skippering a boat or running a team, your people are watching more than they're listening. They’re taking cues from your tone, your body language, how you respond to pressure, and how you treat the ones who can’t do anything for you.

---

Sailing: Where Leadership Is Physical

On the water, respect isn’t handed out.
You don’t get it from your title, your boat size, or your gear.

You earn it by:

• Showing up early and prepared

• Grinding the winch, not complaining about it

• Staying calm when chaos hits

• Owning mistakes — yours and the team’s

A good sailor who leads by example builds a culture where everyone rows in the same direction, no drama, no ego. And the teams that sail that way? They win more than their share.

---

Business: Where Culture Is a Mirror

In business, the same law applies.

Leaders who demand accountability but duck their own won’t get buy-in.
Leaders who talk about excellence but coast on their title kill morale.
But leaders who walk the talk? They create gravity.

They attract A-players.
They inspire discretionary effort.
They build trust in the trenches.

Whether you’re leading a sales team, a startup, or a billion-dollar division — the behavior you model becomes the floor. And often the ceiling.

---

How to Leverage Your Influence the Right Way

Here’s the playbook:

1. Do the hard stuff first. Want your team to go the extra mile? You go two.

2. Talk less, act more. People follow clarity, not noise.

3. Own your outcomes. Publicly. Even the ugly ones.

4. Respect flows down. The way you treat the greenest crew member or newest hire is your brand.

5. Stay mission-first. In a storm or a sales slump, remind them why it matters.

---

Bottom Line

Influence isn’t about volume.
It’s about example.

You don’t have to be the loudest voice or the smartest one in the room — you just have to be the standard. Set it. Hold it. Live it. And others will rise with you.

Whether you're racing upwind or building your business, that’s how you win — and how you make the wins last.

---

#LeadershipByExample #SailingLessons #BusinessWisdom #FatBottomGirlRacing #NoExcuses #WhitehouseConsulting #HighPerformanceCulture

---

The Power of Focus in Competitive Sailing and Business

In both competitive sailing and business, the difference between average and elite often comes down to
one deceptively simple principle: focus.

Focus isn't about doing more—it's about cutting the noise, eliminating distractions, and channeling your full attention toward what actually matters. In racing, that might be the next shift in the wind. In business, it might be the next strategic hire or the next bold move in the market. Either way, a lack of focus can send you off course fast.

---

Sailing: Every Second Counts

On a race boat, there’s no room for drift—mentally or physically. If you're the bow person and your mind wanders for two seconds during a critical hoist, you're now wrapped in a spinnaker with your team screaming from the cockpit. If you're the tactician and you zone out during a wind shift, you've just handed your competition a gift they didn’t earn.

Winning crews are dialed in from prep dock to finish line. They rehearse maneuvers, speak in clear terms, and understand each person’s role and how it fits into the team objective. There's clarity of mission, trust in the system, and a fierce commitment to execution. That's not intensity for intensity's sake—that’s focus.

---

Business: Distraction Is the Default

Now compare that to most workplaces. Slack messages, pointless meetings, inbox overload, shiny objects. It's not that people don't work hard—they just rarely focus on the right things long enough to make them count.

Great business leaders operate like great tacticians. They pick a lane and commit. They shut out noise. They prioritize execution over excuses. Focus allows them to move fast without hurry, to be deliberate in a world of endless busyness. It's not about doing everything. It's about doing what matters most, relentlessly.

---

The Crossover: What Sailing Teaches Business

Here’s what sailing drills into you that translates directly into business:

• Clarity under pressure – You can’t execute the wrong spinnaker set and hope the market forgives you. You either get it right or you eat wake.

• Role discipline – Know your job, do your job. In high-functioning teams, there’s no tolerance for role confusion or blame games.

• Course corrections – Staying focused doesn’t mean staying rigid. It means constantly reassessing and adjusting your heading without losing sight of the destination.

---

Final Thought: Win the Next Mark

In both domains, focus is a competitive advantage because it’s so rare. Most people are too busy trying to do it all. The winners? They're simply trying to do what matters—better and faster than everyone else.

So whether you’re at the helm or leading a team in the boardroom, ask yourself:

What’s the next mark I need to round, and what’s the one thing I can do to nail it?

That’s the power of focus.

---

Stay sharp. Stay focused. And keep sailing fast.

The Wind Behind Success: The Importance of Follow-Through in Competitive Sailing and Business

In both competitive sailing and business, strategy is essential—but it's follow-through that determines victory. You can have the best crew, a fast boat, and a well-laid race plan. You can build a cutting-edge product, a standout pitch, or a brilliant brand. But if you don't execute—if you don’t follow through—momentum dies, and so do opportunities.

Follow-Through in Competitive Sailing

Sailing is a sport of precision and persistence. From the moment the start gun sounds, it's a test of constant adjustment, situational awareness, and commitment to the plan. Tactical decisions only matter if they’re executed with discipline and focus.

A well-timed tack or gybe that isn't followed through with clean crew coordination can cost a boat critical boat lengths. Failing to maintain trim through a tough upwind leg undermines your position, no matter how smart your strategy was. In regattas, the teams that rise to the top are rarely the ones that had the flashiest moments—they’re the ones that kept grinding, stayed sharp, and finished every maneuver with purpose.

The same is true on shore. A team may meet after every race and come up with great ideas for improvement. But unless someone owns those ideas and puts them into action before the next start, the opportunity is lost. In racing, it’s not the idea—it’s the execution.

Follow-Through in Business

Business is no different. Whether you're launching a new product, pursuing a strategic partnership, or managing a key client relationship, success hinges on follow-through.

Many professionals can talk a big game. They impress in the boardroom, close on the handshake, and light up a PowerPoint deck. But in a world filled with distraction and overpromising, the ability to consistently do what you say you’ll do—on time, with quality—sets you apart.

Clients and colleagues remember execution. A sales promise is only as good as the delivery that follows. A proposal is only meaningful if the actions behind it are tracked and completed. Follow-through builds trust. Trust builds loyalty. And loyalty is the currency of long-term success.

The Crossover Lessons

Here are a few core truths shared by both sailing and business:

• Consistency beats brilliance. One standout moment doesn’t win the regatta or the quarter—stringing together steady, well-executed performances does.

• Preparation is worthless without execution. A well-prepared boat that sails sloppily finishes mid-pack. A great strategy without consistent delivery leads to frustrated customers and lost revenue.

• Trust is earned in the details. Whether it's hitting your mark on a layline or showing up to a client call with everything you promised, follow-through in the little things builds your reputation.

Final Thoughts

Follow-through is not just a habit—it’s a mindset. It says: I finish what I start. I deliver what I promise. I don’t just talk the race—I sail it.

Whether you’re rounding the top mark or closing a critical deal, let follow-through be your rudder. Because in sailing and in business, the winners are the ones who finish strong.

Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812
Give it all you got! 

---

The Double-Edged Benefit of Coaching: Why Mentors Learn as Much as They Teach in Sailing and Business

In both competitive sailing and business, coaching and mentoring are often framed as top-down processes—an experienced leader imparting wisdom to a less experienced crew member or colleague. But anyone who’s ever coached a racing team or mentored a young professional knows this truth: the learning flows both ways.

As a coach or mentor, you're not just shaping others—you’re evolving in real time yourself. Whether you're calling tactics in a regatta or guiding a high-potential employee through a career transition, you’re forced to refine your communication, revisit your fundamentals, and confront your own assumptions. Let’s look at why this reciprocal growth is especially true—and valuable—in both competitive sailing and business.

---

1. You Re-Learn the Fundamentals

When you teach someone else how to trim a jib, read a wind shift, or execute a gybe under pressure, you're re-engaging with first principles. The same happens in business when you’re coaching someone through managing a client relationship or negotiating a deal. You’re reminded of the "why" behind your instincts—something that can get lost in the repetition of experience.

Revisiting the basics with fresh eyes often brings clarity and even reveals bad habits you've let creep in over time. Explaining your decisions out loud forces intentionality, not just intuition.

---

2. You Get Challenged in New Ways

Great mentees and crew members don't just nod along—they ask questions. “Why did we tack there instead of waiting for the next shift?” “Why are we prioritizing that sales opportunity over this one?” These moments force you to think critically and articulate your logic. Sometimes, they reveal gaps or outdated assumptions in your approach.

This kind of feedback loop is invaluable. It keeps you sharp and accountable, and it opens you up to new perspectives from emerging talent who might see the world—or the wind—differently.

---

3. You Develop Deeper Empathy and Leadership Skills

Mentoring requires patience, humility, and emotional intelligence. You learn how to read people, tailor your feedback to individual learning styles, and handle mistakes with grace. That kind of relational skill isn’t just good for team culture—it’s a competitive edge in both business and on the water.

And let’s be honest: when you’re coaching a team under pressure—whether it’s a crew fighting current and chop or a sales team chasing quota—your leadership is tested in the crucible. That’s when the real growth happens.

---

4. You Strengthen Your Legacy and Vision

In both sailing and business, your impact is multiplied when you develop others. Helping someone reach their potential reinforces your sense of purpose and extends your influence beyond your direct actions. When a mentee wins their first regatta or lands a big deal, you’ve built something more lasting than any one victory.

At the same time, your mentees often help clarify and evolve your own vision. They ask, “What’s next?” They push you to dream bigger. That reflection keeps your journey meaningful.

---

5. You Stay Engaged and Inspired

One of the most underrated benefits of coaching or mentoring is energy. Watching someone you’ve guided discover their groove, gain confidence, and succeed is a powerful motivator. It reminds you why you fell in love with the sport—or the work—in the first place.

The enthusiasm of a hungry young sailor or a curious new hire is contagious. It keeps the fire alive and the cycle going.

---

Final Thoughts

In competitive sailing and business alike, coaching and mentoring aren’t just about transferring knowledge—they're about mutual transformation. The best coaches walk away changed by the people they’ve helped, armed with new insights, stronger fundamentals, and a deeper sense of purpose.

So if you’re on the fence about taking someone under your wing, don’t do it just for them. Do it for you, too. The horizon gets wider for everyone.

Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812
Give it all you got! 

Personal Values and Team Culture: The Competitive Edge in Sailing and Business

In both competitive sailing and business, success doesn’t come solely from individual skill or raw talent—
it comes from how well a team functions under pressure. While strategy and execution are crucial, the deeper drivers of team performance often stem from a shared sense of purpose, mutual respect, and clearly defined values.

These aren’t just abstract ideals. Personal values shape how individuals communicate, make decisions, respond to setbacks, and support one another. When those values align across a team, they create a culture that can withstand the challenges of competition—whether on the water or in the boardroom.

---

Sailing as a Mirror for Team Dynamics

Competitive sailing offers a high-stakes environment where team culture is not just important—it’s mission critical. On a boat, there is no place to hide. Every crew member must know their role, anticipate challenges, and trust their teammates implicitly. Decisions must be made in seconds, often in adverse conditions. There’s no time for ego or confusion.

What keeps a team cohesive when conditions turn? It’s not just training or experience—it’s shared values:

• Accountability – Each sailor knows that their role directly impacts the outcome.

• Resilience – Weather and setbacks are constant. The best teams reset quickly and push forward.

• Communication – Clear, calm, and consistent communication keeps the boat moving forward.

• Respect – Regardless of experience or position, respect drives collaboration and trust.

---

Business Teams Are No Different

Just like a sailing crew, a high-performing business team operates in fast-paced, unpredictable environments. Markets shift. Clients change course. Internal dynamics evolve. The best leaders recognize that hiring for skill alone isn’t enough. You have to build a team where people’s values align with the mission and with one another.

When personal values are intentionally woven into hiring, onboarding, and team development, you don’t just get compliance—you get commitment.

Examples of this alignment include:

• A culture that values innovation will flourish when individuals embrace curiosity and adaptability.

• A team that champions integrity will perform better when members prioritize transparency and trust.

• A company that emphasizes service will excel when people take pride in creating value for others.

---

Bridging the Two Worlds: Lessons from the Water

As someone who has spent years in both the competitive sailing and business worlds, I’ve found the parallels striking. The best teams I’ve raced with—and built professionally—are the ones who take the time to understand each other’s core values. That alignment becomes the foundation for trust, performance, and long-term success.

If you're leading a business team, ask yourself:

• Do you know what your team members truly value?

• Are those values reflected in how you hire, promote, and lead?

• Would your culture hold together in high-pressure moments?

Likewise, if you're building a sailing crew, don’t just fill positions. Build a team that shares a vision, respects the grind, and is willing to row (or tack) in the same direction.

---

In the end, culture isn’t built in boardrooms or at the marina—it’s forged in motion. And whether you're racing toward a mark or a business milestone, the real competitive advantage comes when values and culture are in sync.

---

How We Train Matters — On the Water and in Business

At Fat Bottom Girl Racing, we’re known for pushing hard on the racecourse, staying competitive in all conditions, and having a damn good time doing it. But none of that happens without one critical ingredient: training — and not just any training, but the kind that creates real, lasting success.

Whether we’re talking about fine-tuning a gybe in tight quarters or coaching a crew member into a leadership role, the principle is the same: quality training drives performance. That goes for sailing — and for business. 
Training: The Secret Behind Every Smooth Tack Every time our boat rounds a mark clean, or our crew executes a flawless kite drop, there’s training behind it. It’s hours of drills, debriefs, and shared reps. It’s communication, trust, and constant learning. 

Business is no different. Behind every successful team, every efficient handoff, and every strong close is a culture of mentorship, feedback, and high expectations. You don’t just get lucky — you train for it. You Know You’ve Done It Right When They Don’t Need You. At Fat Bottom Girl Racing, we measure success not just by trophies, but by how well our crew performs when the skipper’s not calling every move. If someone who started as a trimmer is now calling tactics or skippering another boat — that’s a win. That means we trained well. 

Same in business. If your team members are growing, leading, and mentoring others — even if they move on to new roles — your impact scales. Great training creates independence. Great trainers build leaders. 
What We Teach on the Water Applies Everywhere: Sailing teaches adaptability, communication, and resilience — qualities every business needs. In both arenas, things change fast. The wind shifts. The market moves. You get knocked down. And you’ve got to know what to do without freezing or waiting for someone else to solve it. At FBG Racing, we create an environment where people learn by doing — safely, intentionally, and with room to make mistakes. We’re building thinkers, not just doers. The same mindset works wonders in any team or company. 

Legacy Is Built Through Others Fat Bottom Girl Racing isn’t just about this season — it’s about building something that lasts long after any one of us hangs up our foulies. That means investing in people: teaching, mentoring, giving space, and holding the bar high. If we want this team, and the sport, and our businesses to thrive for decades, we’ve got to build strong foundations. Training is that foundation. 

Final Word: If You Want to Win — Train Like It Matters At Fat Bottom Girl Racing, we don’t just train to race — we train to lead. To grow. To pass on what we’ve learned and raise the standard. Whether you’re on our bow, in our business network, or learning how to run a team of your own, remember this: You’ll know you trained well when your people succeed without you. And when that happens — on the water or in the boardroom — you can smile, step back, and know your impact will keep sailing on. Want to collaborate with FBG Racing on coaching, crew development, or leadership training? Let’s talk. We’re here to grow the sport, grow the game, and grow people who love both.

Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812
Give it all you got! 

The Power of Predictability — Why It’s a Winning Skill in Sailing and Business

When people think about competitive sailing or high-stakes business environments, they often picture speed, agility, and bold decisions. What rarely

gets talked about — yet separates the good from the great — is predictability. Predictability isn't boring. In fact, it’s one of the most valuable traits a teammate, leader, or skipper can bring to the table. Here’s why. 1. Predictability Builds Trust Under Pressure In sailing, especially on a competitive crew, knowing how someone will respond before they even move is gold. Will they ease the sheet smoothly on a puff? Will they stay calm in a tight mark rounding? The best crew members and skippers become predictable in all the right ways — reliable, stable, and consistent under pressure. In business, this looks like being a leader or teammate who doesn’t panic when plans go sideways. Someone whose communication style is consistent, whose reactions are measured, and who can be counted on to follow through. Why it matters: In both environments, trust is oxygen — and trust is built on consistency. 2. Predictability Frees Up Bandwidth for Big Decisions Sailing a boat at the edge of performance means managing a million moving parts. If everyone on board is guessing what the person next to them might do, decision-making slows down and mistakes multiply. But when roles, reactions, and responses are predictable, the crew functions like a machine — and the skipper can focus on strategy. In business, predictable teams allow leaders to lead instead of micromanage. When people show up consistently, deliver reliably, and communicate clearly, energy is freed for innovation, customer focus, and growth. Why it matters: Predictability eliminates unnecessary noise so the real work can get done. 3. Predictability Turns Repetition Into Excellence No winning boat or business just “figures it out on the fly.” Success comes from doing the small things right — over and over again — until they’re second nature. Predictable routines, drills, checklists, and habits create the muscle memory that high performance is built on. Think of a pre-race checklist or a daily stand-up meeting. They aren’t sexy, but they create rhythm, accountability, and focus. That’s how winning happens. Why it matters: Predictability isn’t static — it’s the foundation for high-speed execution. 4. Predictability Creates Calm in Chaos Storms happen. Wind shifts. Competitors get aggressive. But if your team knows how you will respond — as a leader, as a crewmate, as a partner — that calm becomes contagious. In business, when markets shift or crises hit, being a predictable leader provides an anchor. Your team doesn’t need someone who’s loud and reactive — they need someone who stays steady when the waves get steep. Why it matters: Predictability = stability = confidence. Final Word: Predictability Isn’t Rigidity — It’s Reliability Let’s be clear: predictability doesn’t mean being stuck in your ways. It means showing up with consistent values, clear expectations, and dependable actions. It’s what turns a collection of individuals into a cohesive crew — and a group of employees into a high-performance business team. If you want to win races — on the water or in the market — be the person your team can predict in all the right ways. Because when the wind picks up, and the pressure’s on, predictability isn’t a weakness — it’s your competitive edge. Fat Bottom Girl USA 30812 Give it all you got!