Facing a tough decision, should you stay or go?

I’ve only been in yachting for 3 years but I’m already beginning to feel like I’ve had enough. To be honest I’m actually really disappointed with the whole industry.

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By KARINE RAYSON

Q: Alex, Stewardess, 27: Should I stay, or should I go?

I’ve only been in yachting for 3 years but I’m already beginning to feel like I’ve had enough. To be honest I’m actually really disappointed with the whole industry. I came into this thinking I’d be working with super professional people with really high standards in everything they do. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case! I have met so many incredibly badly behaved people in yachting, not just the crew but many of the brokers and managers as well. It seems like everyone just does whatever they want, regardless of the rules – and owners and guests use their power to exploit people and get their own way like spoilt brats. Most of the Captains and senior crew I’ve met have never had any leadership training and have no idea how to treat people properly, let alone motivate them or get the best out of them. It’s really sad but I just think this industry is so shallow and seems to attract so many unpleasant people. Have I just been really unlucky or should I get out now while I still have some morals and standards left!

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A: The Crew Coach

I am sorry your experience hasn’t been a positive one so far. The “should I stay, or should I go question” comes up frequently. So, you’re not alone on this one, I often get emails like this, and it’s very upsetting to know that there is still so many crew who lack the emotional and social EQ to carry out their jobs professionally.

This tarnishes the industry’s reputation. I want to reassure you that some wonderful people are working in this industry – many of them are my clients – and they do care about their crew and share similar values as yourself.

Your well-being and happiness come first at the end of the day, and if the yacht is causing you substantial grief and stress, I wouldn’t recommend staying. If I were you, I would reflect on your values and the reasons for pursuing a career in yachting. You can either stick it out or try to find a new role where you can carefully select a Captain and crew that are more of a match for your expectations. By the way, I think your expectations are perfectly reasonable, and it’s a shame that you haven’t yet found a yacht that matches them. This could take a little while, but it’s worth it!

The only real way to make that decision is to make a list of your highest values in life and at work (the things that matter most to you), for example:

  • Fairness
  • Appreciation
  • Respect
  • Recognition
  • Perfection
  • Kindness 

There are loads more, of course. These are just a few common ones that might be coming into play. Give each one a score out of 10, where 10 means that value is being deeply fulfilled. Do this for three different scenarios:

  1. Your current role

  2. A yacht where everything was the way you want it to be

  3. A luxury hospitality role outside yachting (or a different job if you have one in mind)

Looking at the scores will give you a great insight into which role will be more compatible for you and bring about a greater sense of job and life satisfaction. If you are passionate about personal and professional development, you might find it helpful to join our membership program. It comprises a select group of exceptional people you can network with and bounce ideas off to design your best possible career and life path. 

When faced with a tough decision Should I Stay or Should I Go