In the second edition of ‘Mentoring at Sea’, Captain André LeGoubin, MNM MA FNI, offers an insightful and practical guide for professionals in the maritime industry, drawing from a well of personal experience and deep-rooted maritime tradition.
The book emphasizes the value and importance of mentoring, offering key insights into how fostering these relationships can promote both professional growth and safety onboard.
Capt. LeGoubin’s approach to mentoring focuses on how the sharing of experience and wisdom can be seamlessly integrated into the everyday workings aboard a ship. As he eloquently puts it:
Learning is a lifelong experience, and I believe we have a traditional duty to pass this learning on to those that are following us in their careers. This book is about an informal system of onboard knowledge transfer that has existed for as long as ships have sailed the seas. It can be undertaken during normal operations, will not take more than ten minutes of your time, and can have a significant impact on those in receipt.
The book begins by laying out foundational principles of mentoring, addressing the unique complexities and dynamics of relationships at sea. The author uses first-person narrative and real-world examples from his career, making the readers feel like they are also experiencing what the author has.
One of the standout features of the book is the “10-minute challenge,” where Capt. LeGoubin encourages maritime professionals to spend just ten minutes sharing knowledge with a fellow crew member. This simple yet highly effective initiative reinforces the idea that even brief moments can lead to meaningful professional development.
Capt. LeGoubin also addresses common barriers to effective mentoring, such as language differences, providing practical advice on overcoming these challenges. This edition also thoughtfully explores whether cultural differences should be considered a barrier, concluding that while mentors must remain sensitive to such differences, there is arguably a shift towards embracing diversity.
The book further strengthens its message by incorporating lessons from real-life maritime incidents, showcasing how effective mentoring and communication could have potentially altered outcomes. These examples resonate deeply with readers, providing practical, relatable lessons they can apply in their own work.
The book’s central message— that ‘anyone can be a mentor, and be mentored by someone else’—makes it a highly valuable resource for maritime professionals at all levels. It provides essential guidance, especially for young seafarers, helping them overcome challenges and fostering a positive perspective on life and work at sea.
The second edition of ‘Mentoring at Sea’ is highly recommended to anyone looking to enhance their professional development or contribute meaningfully to the growth of others in the maritime industry.
