Entry & progression
Course: Human Element, Leadership and Management at the operational level — a mandatory STCW course for officers at the operational level (OOW). It covers leadership, teamwork, resource management and the human factors behind safe operations. Entry: operational-level officer or trainee. Progresses to HELM (Management level).
Working with people
At the operational level the officer leads a watch team and works within the wider crew, and effective leadership is what turns a group of individuals into a team that catches errors. It means communicating clearly, delegating and briefing, and creating a climate in which team members will speak up when something looks wrong. Resource management — of people, information and equipment — keeps situational awareness high and traps errors before they cause harm; the officer uses every source of information and every pair of eyes rather than trying to do everything alone.
- Communicate clearly, and use closed-loop, challenge-and-response communication so instructions are confirmed.
- Brief and delegate, using all the team's skills and knowledge rather than working alone.
- Maintain situational awareness and share the mental model so the whole team understands the situation.
- Create a climate where the team will challenge and speak up, regardless of rank.
NOTE — The authority gradient A steep authority gradient stops juniors speaking up, and a concern that is not voiced is a lost defence. Good leaders flatten the gradient enough that a concern is always raised — and make sure that when it is, it is heard.
TIP — Closed-loop communication catches errors Having the receiver repeat back an instruction confirms both parties agree, and catches the misunderstanding before it becomes an incident. It costs a second and prevents accidents.