Navigating Leadership Lessons from the Titanic with Kelly Skwarcan

In the latest episode of our Leadership Story Talks podcast, Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan delve into the fascinating intersection of storytelling and leadership through the lens of the Titanic tragedy. Our guest, Kelly Skwarcan, a leadership consultant and author, shares her insights on how the lessons learned from this historical event can be applied to modern leadership practices.

Kelly recounts her journey into this unique field, emphasizing that the stories we tell are not just narratives but powerful tools that can equip leaders and their teams with essential skills. At the heart of her message is the concept of psychological safety—a crucial element that allows team members to speak up, share ideas, and ultimately perform at their best.

The episode features an in-depth discussion of two ships involved in the Titanic disaster: the Californian and the Carpathia. While the Carpathia responded promptly to Titanic’s distress signals, the Californian remained motionless, illustrating stark contrasts in leadership and decision-making. Kelly highlights how Captain Rostron of the Carpathia exemplified effective leadership through his quick thinking and commitment to his crew’s safety, while Captain Lord of the Californian failed to act, resulting in tragic consequences.

Listeners will learn about the importance of personality traits in leadership effectiveness, particularly the HEXACO model, which includes honesty and humility as key components. Kelly emphasizes that trust is built through vulnerability and that leaders should not shy away from showing their fallibility. By fostering an environment where team members feel safe to express their thoughts and concerns, leaders can cultivate high-performing teams that are resilient in the face of challenges.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in enhancing their leadership skills and understanding the impact of storytelling in creating meaningful connections within teams.