Never Step Down Into the Life Raft

In 2013, I was out at sea racing more than 50 sailboats when disaster struck at the starting line. Another boat T-boned us at speed, leaving a three-foot hole in the port (left) side that extended below the waterline. The rush of water breaching was overwhelming.

Most of the crew wanted to abandon ship immediately. But a few of us went to work. We patched the breach with pool noodles, spray foam, stabilized the boat, and limped back to shore under tow. It wasn't pretty, but it worked.

Racing is a constant reminder that incidents never wait for ideal conditions. You rarely have the luxury of time, let alone perfect tools, even when you are prepared. Murphy's Law always has a vote. That day seared into me a critical threshold, stay with the ship as long as it can still carry you.

Sailors are taught a principle worth remembering you never step down into a life raft. If the vessel is still floating, even damaged, it is safer than abandoning too early. The only time you leave is when the step into the raft is a step up.

Leadership in crisis works the same way.

Great leaders:

• Stay with the plan while it still holds.

• Avoid premature moves that add risk or erode confidence.

• Pivot only when conditions demand it.

• Define thresholds so everyone knows when recalibration is required.

This discipline not only guides leaders but also empowers those unexpectedly called to lead in the middle of a crisis. With clear thresholds and decision points, they can step in and succeed.

At Hold Fast Solutions, we help organizations define these thresholds and pressure-test them through exercises so leaders are ready when the unexpected happens. Business continuity and crisis management are not just about having a backup plan. They are about knowing when to use it and enabling others to act with clarity when it is their turn at the helm.

Never step down. Always step up.

I'd love to hear what lessons you've drawn from your own experiences. Please share your thoughts below, or reach out directly via DM if you'd like to connect.