Finding Your Keel

Even in rough seas, a steady center keeps you upright and moving forward.

The most influential business book was one I read in the 1990s. I was an experienced association management professional but a new business owner. I had a few clients and needed to learn to prioritize and organize my work. Clients don’t care if I am busy working for another client. They just want the work done.

That was when I learned about and read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. It certainly helped me to prioritize and manage my workload. More importantly for me, though, was the section on “centeredness.” Covey does a great job of explaining that most of us have a focus or center for our lives. He also explains that we can choose that center.

One of the most vital components of a sailboat is almost never seen. The keel extends from the hull of the boat down into the water, acting as a counterweight to the mast and sails. The keel keeps the boat upright in turbulent waters. It allows the pilot to navigate the boat, setting a direction and heading to the destination.

Covey argues that the strongest center or focus for a person’s life can be a set of principles. Once set, they act as a sailboat keel. They can help us keep upright and moving forward regardless of the storms that come our way. And, extending the metaphor a step too far, the seven habits act as the wind in our sails, preventing us from being stranded.

Just as a strong set of principles can help individuals navigate life, an association’s purpose and mission can keep it steady. They act as a center, avoiding distractions that can pull it off course. In association management, we face constant change. It is easy to get caught up in the waves that surround us. Standing firmly on the organization’s mission allows us to orient ourselves, grab the rudder, and steer through the storms.

What keeps you steady and acts like your keel? Are your purpose and mission strong enough to keep your association from capsizing? We cannot predict every storm, but we can be ready for them by understanding and holding to our center.

ChatGPT provided light editorial input on this article.