This past weekend I watched the movie – Captain Phillips. It’s a Tom Hanks movie. And quite frankly, I’m not quite sure what prompted me to watch it, other than perhaps my internal need to see Tom Hanks. You see, Tom Hanks has been my barometer of hope for recovery. I clung to the idea that he and his wife would get better and return home to their family. And when I saw a photo of him in Los Angeles, it was as if I could take a deep breath and know that recovery was possible.
Captain Phillips is the inspiring story of Captain Richard Phillips and his remarkable journey of courage, strength and leadership when, on March 19th 2009, his Maersk Alabama Cargo/Container Ship was hijacked by armed pirates off the coast of Somalia. His book, A Captain’s Duty, (along with the movie), outline the details of how Somali pirates take over his container ship, and bring to life the depth of his intrinsic, selfless responsibility to his crew, volunteering to be taken prisoner on the departing lifeboat with the pirates. It captures with perfection exquisite qualities of leadership and the importance of teamwork showcasing the extraordinary expertise, coordination and commitment of the US Navy and Navy Seals in his rescue.
I met Captain Phillips in 2014. He was the keynote speaker at a Risk Management conference. I remember sitting in the audience and listening to him speak, mesmerized by the eloquence of his words as he detailed how the drama of his experience unfolded. But what stood out most profoundly was his message of the incredible strength and potential we hold within ourselves.
He writes in his book – “The thing I saw the clearest was the lesson I learned on the lifeboat: we are stronger than we think we are. There were so many times that I was afraid … it taught me that I could handle far more than I’d given myself credit for”
And today, this notion of ‘stronger than you even know’ is ever so evident in every single one of you.
Each day is new. And each day, sometimes fighting the tugs to just stay home, you choose to show up at the hospital – to support your staff, to care for your patients, and to protect the community. Courageous decisions are being made… by each of you. Teamwork is no longer talked about, but is visibly and collaboratively in action. Dependence on experts is present and welcomed, helping to guide you through the troubled waters ahead. And reaching deep into yourself, committed to caring for others, you find your most strongest self, bolstered by the strength in those around you.
TODAY’S INVITATION is to tap into the power and belief that you are stronger than you even know.
- Recognize the heroic actions you are taking each day – no matter what role you play in this healthcare drama
- Take a moment to pause and reflect on the powerful sense of purpose shared by your colleagues – to care for another human being in extraordinary ways
- Acknowledge each other – staff and colleagues – in ways that connect you further together
- Notice that you ARE stronger than you even know
- Believe that there is a Navy (metaphorically) of experts, systems and prayers working together to help navigate you through these treacherous times.
Continue to shine your magnificence –
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diane Rogers is a facilitative, leader with a collaborative approach inspiring individuals and organizations to raise the bar toward the Achievement of New Potentials, together. She has a diverse background, with a history of demonstrated leadership positions across multiple industries, including healthcare, software IT, aerospace and nuclear power. Diane can think big and put the details in place to design effective action plans building trust and respect along the way. With her unquenchable energy, she tenaciously engages stakeholders to join the improvement journey and, along the way, cheerfully nudging the players, bringing them to the same page, to move beyond their potential.
