"How Do Captains Lead?" is a leadership series for small-craft masters written by Captain Kent Dresser, founder of the Professional Captains Association (PCA) and Confident Captain. With over 30 years of experience in small craft operations, I have dedicated my career to elevating professional boat captains through training, mentorship, and leadership development. Rooted in my doctoral work in business administration and virtuous leadership, this series brings practical, research-backed leadership lessons to PCA members - captains who want to lead at a higher level.

I’ve learned a lot about leadership over the years—some lessons were great, some were hard, and some were downright terrible. Like many captains, I started my career in a command-and-control mindset, believing that giving clear, firm orders was the key to running a tight ship. And for a while, that worked. But over time, I saw the impact—people followed orders, but they weren’t growing. They weren’t thriving. I was running a boat, but I wasn’t building a team.

As I gained a little wisdom, I began to realize that the world was not my own personal wheelhouse, subject to the ebb and flow of my mood or mindset. I was part of something bigger—a larger picture of flourishing, mutual success, and shared purpose. Leadership wasn’t about control; it was about influence. It was about lifting others up, creating a culture of excellence, and leading in a way that made everyone around me better. That’s when I discovered the power of positivity, values-based leadership, and the concept of abundance gaps—the idea that instead of just fixing what’s broken, we should strive toward what’s possible.

This series is for captains who want to do more than just run a boat—it’s for those who want to lead in a way that transforms their crews, their vessels, and the industry itself. Because when we lead the right way, we don’t just get the job done—we create something lasting, impactful, and truly great.

Leading Beyond Orders: Transformational Leadership for Captains

When you think of great leadership on the water, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the captain who’s got everything under control, who commands respect without raising his voice, who makes the crew want to give 110% because they believe in what they’re doing. That’s transformational leadership in action—leading in a way that inspires people to rise to their full potential, work toward a bigger goal, and make the vessel operate at its absolute best.

Transformational leadership isn’t about barking orders or micromanaging every little task—it’s about creating an environment where your crew feels engaged, motivated, and driven to perform at the highest level. When it comes to running a small craft, whether it’s a ferry, a towboat, or an offshore supply vessel, transformational leadership can be the difference between a crew that just follows commands and a crew that operates like a well-oiled machine, thinking ahead and working as one cohesive unit.

What is Transformational Leadership?

The concept of transformational leadership was first introduced by James MacGregor Burns (1978) and later expanded by Bernard Bass (1985). This leadership style is all about inspiring and developing your team rather than just managing tasks. Instead of simply exchanging rewards for performance (which is the transactional leadership model), transformational leadership taps into intrinsic motivation—getting people to buy into a vision, challenge themselves, and push beyond expectations.

According to Bass (1985), transformational leadership is built on four key pillars:

1. Idealized Influence (Charisma) – Being a role model. People respect and trust captains who set the right example.
2. Inspirational Motivation – Setting a vision that excites the crew and gives them a reason to put in their best effort.
3. Intellectual Stimulation – Encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving, instead of just giving orders.
4. Individualized Consideration – Understanding that every crew member is different and helping them grow in their role.

Lead your Boat with Purpose
A transformational captain doesn’t just enforce the rules—he sets the tone for the entire operation. He’s the kind of leader who steps onto the deck, and the crew immediately knows they’re in good hands. He isn’t just managing people—he’s developing them into top-tier mariners.

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Put Transformational Leadership to Work on Your Boat

Set the Standard – Walk the Talk

Your crew is always watching you. If you cut corners, they’ll cut corners. If you take safety seriously, they’ll take safety seriously. A transformational leader doesn’t demand respect—he earns it through actions, professionalism, and consistency.

Lead Like They’re Watching—Because They Are
If you want your crew to care about safety drills, don’t just tell them they’re mandatory—show them why they matter. Share real-life stories about times when solid safety training saved lives. Conduct drills like they’re the real thing. Make it clear that excellence isn’t optional—it’s just how you run the boat.

Create a Culture of Ownership

Great captains don’t just want their crew to follow orders; they want them to think, anticipate, and act like leaders in their own right. Encourage crew members to take initiative and find solutions instead of waiting for instructions.

Give Them the Helm—Let Them Steer Their Growth
Next time a deckhand asks, “What do you want me to do next?” don’t just give an order—ask, “What do you think needs to be done?” Let them develop their problem-solving skills. Over time, you’ll build a crew that doesn’t just execute tasks but actively contributes to the vessel’s success.

Communicate the Mission, Not Just the Tasks

A transformational captain doesn’t just say, “Check the lines.” He says, “Let’s make sure the boat is secured properly so we’re ready to get underway quickly and safely.” He connects the task to the bigger picture so the crew understands why it matters.

Make Every Directive a Lesson in Seamanship
Start each day with a quick briefing. Instead of just rattling off a checklist, take 30 seconds to explain why today’s tasks are important. Whether it’s getting the vessel ready for a weather shift, ensuring a smooth passenger experience, or preparing for a complex docking maneuver, help your crew see the bigger picture.

Foster a Learning and Growing Environment

On a well-run boat, every day is a training day. A transformational leader doesn’t just rely on formal training—he teaches in the moment. Instead of berating a crew member for a mistake, he turns it into a learning experience.

Correct the Course, Don’t Scuttle the Dream
If a mate misjudges a docking approach, instead of just correcting them, break it down: “Here’s what happened, here’s why, and here’s how we adjust next time.” Build confidence instead of fear, and you’ll create a crew that gets better every day.

Build the Right Crew Culture

Transformational leadership means building a crew that looks out for each other. The best vessels run on trust, camaraderie, and a shared sense of responsibility. A captain who fosters a strong culture keeps morale high and prevents problems before they start.

The Best Crews Don’t Just Work Together—They Have Each Other’s Backs
If you want a tight-knit crew, make time for camaraderie. That might mean sharing a meal together, recognizing a crew member who went above and beyond, or simply taking a moment to ask how someone’s doing. It doesn’t have to be complicated—just let them know you see them as people, not just hands on deck.

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Final Thoughts: Transformational Leadership is What Sets Great Captains Apart

Running a boat isn’t just about navigation and seamanship—it’s about leadership. Transformational captains inspire their crew, develop their people, and run an operation that is safer, smoother, and more successful.

The best crews don’t just work for their captain—they work with him/her because they believe in what they’re doing. And that’s the essence of transformational leadership: it’s not just about getting the job done—it’s about building a team that thrives together.

So next time you step onto your boat, ask yourself:

• Are you leading in a way that elevates your crew?
• Do your people feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves?
• Are you creating an environment where everyone is growing and improving?

Because when you lead with a transformational mindset, your boat doesn’t just function—it excels.

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Next Up: Leadership Styles That Work on the Water

This is the first in a weekly series on leadership styles for professional captains. Next week, we’ll break down Servant Leadership—how it works, where it’s useful, and when it might be exactly what your vessel needs.

Join the Conversation!
Have you worked under a transformational captain? What did they do that made a difference? Drop a comment or share your story—we want to hear from you.

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References

• Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. Free Press.
• Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1990). Transformational leadership development: Manual for the multifactor leadership questionnaire. Consulting Psychologists Press.
• Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.
• Karimi, S., Ahmadi Malek, F., Yaghoubi Farani, A., & Liobikienė, G. (2023). The role of transformational leadership in developing innovative work behaviors: The mediating role of employees’ psychological capital. Sustainability, 15(2), 1267.

About Captain Kent Dresser

Captain Kent Dresser, founder of the Professional Captains Association (PCA) and Confident Captain, is a seasoned mariner with over 30 years of experience in small craft operations. His career began in the quick-response marine assistance industry during its early days in the 1980s—when it was still the Wild West—before he moved on to work as a New York tugboatman, mastering the demanding waterways of one of the world’s busiest ports.

As President and Founder of Dresser Marine, Captain Dresser has spent his career elevating professional boat captains, ensuring they have the training, leadership, and business acumen to thrive in an evolving maritime industry. He holds a degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island, giving him a deep understanding of maritime policy, resource management, and the complexities of the industry.

His expertise extends beyond the water—he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Mary with a focus on virtuous leadership and organizational resilience. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from U Mary as well, blending business strategy, leadership theory, and ethical decision-making to empower captains with the skills they need to lead effectively.

Through Confident Captain, Captain Dresser has revolutionized maritime training, offering asynchronous online courses that provide world-class instruction to captains worldwide. His passion for human flourishing, high-performance leadership, and professional excellence drives everything he does—whether at the helm of a vessel, developing training programs, or shaping the future of leadership in the small-craft industry.