Discovering one phrase to explain Captain Sandra Yawn could be incomplete—Chief, Hero, Worldwide Speaker, Businesswoman—and the record retains rising! For the final 8 years, Captain Sandy has turn out to be a fan-favorite captain on Bravo TV’s actuality hit, Under Deck Mediterranean. Now, with the discharge of her new ebook, Be the Calm or Be the Storm: Management Classes from a Girl on the Helm, Captain Sandy is sharing the wealth of knowledge hard-earned over her notable profession.
Greater than her signature, made-for-TV smile, Captain Sandy is a chilled voice amidst a storm of demanding visitors and feuding crew members. I’m at all times drawn to her battle decision and the knowledge she brings to each scenario. Positive, the present is entertaining to look at, however Captain Sandy is modeling actual management classes.
Under Deck is the one actuality TV I really like. My associates and I look forward to a brand new episode every week, primarily due to Captain Sandy. Earlier than we spoke, I felt like I knew her, not like figuring out a pal, however like a boss or chief. On TV, she is approachable, down-to-earth, but forceful—the type of chief you wish to comply with. I wasn’t stunned to search out she has that very same high quality off-air.
Captain Sandy and I spoke about her new ebook, why she loves the Hamptons, and naturally, what her dream Tremendous Yacht constitution would appear like!
It’s nice to speak to you! Hopefully, I don’t come throughout as an excessive amount of of a fan! Rising up in Bradenton, Florida, I’m certain you have been surrounded by boating tradition. How outdated have been you while you first acquired into boating? Did you at all times hope to turn out to be a captain?
Rising up, we had small boats 18 toes and went fishing and water snowboarding each weekend and generally after faculty. I grew up on the water. I by no means knew that turning into a captain was a chance for little women, and that’s the reason I based Captain Sandy’s Charities to assist fund a highschool academic program for colleges throughout the nation to construct consciousness that the maritime business is an choice for teenagers who don’t go to varsity or who’re like me, I by no means graduated.
What query do you get requested probably the most about being a Captain?
Dad and mom at all times ask, “How did you turn out to be a captain?” “How does one get into the maritime business?” Primarily to assist their children get into the business. These are the questions, which is why I based Captain Sandy’s Charities to fund the highschool program, so individuals now not must ask—they’ll have that choice at school.
Clearly, you make an effort to present again. How necessary has mentorship been in your life and profession as a captain?
“Every One Train One,” as Denzel Washington stated in one in all his graduation speeches. Serving to others is among the biggest emotions I’ve ever felt. It takes sacrifice, investing your time and vitality, and generally cash. However the reward is 10-fold.
My pal noticed you at Dockside just a few years in the past, they usually stated you have been so pleasant while you seen they acknowledged you! Is it bizarre to regulate to being within the public eye?
Not a lot anymore. I imply, it’s been eight years. Now, it’s about acknowledging it, and I don’t need individuals ever to really feel like they’ll’t method me. It’s such a pleasure to be a useful resource for individuals. I’m humbled on daily basis by the place I’m in to assist others.
That positively comes off within the present [Below Deck]. You have got an easy, down-to-earth, conversational tone that makes your ebook so approachable. How necessary is it to you to make use of your public platform to mannequin concepts and share classes?
Thanks! Truthfully, I don’t have all of the solutions. I’m simply sharing my expertise, energy, and hope. I don’t know what works for each individual, and I simply know what works for me. And if what works for me will help another person, I’m going to share. That is how I did it, and a few individuals may need completely different experiences and say, I’ll do it in another way. And that’s so thrilling. Hey, that’s the duty of getting a platform and sharing that have, energy, and hope. I really feel so blessed.
Past Under Deck, you’ve had a outstanding profession as a captain. Are you able to share some moments you’re notably happy with?
All of it, being a lady in a male-dominated business, for one, the opposite is the crew. In contrast to the present, we spend years chartering all around the med collectively, serving to change lives one constitution at a time. I’m nonetheless in contact with a lot of the crew from a vessel referred to as Tuscan Solar and one other named Pure Bliss. We labored onerous, performed onerous, and at all times had mutual respect. We have been actually a group.
Earlier than we get to your new ebook, that is Hamptons.com, so I positively must find out about your experiences right here within the Hamptons!
When did you first go to The Hamptons? What do you love to do probably the most while you go to the Hamptons?
I had a ship based mostly in East Hampton that I chartered myself, and I cherished it! I LOVE the Hamptons. It’s so peaceable, the surroundings, the seashores, the meals, and the improbable occasions. It’s completely one in all my high summer time locations to spend my time there in America.
What makes the Hamptons so nice for boaters?
The Hamptons is like, oh my god, it’s just like the British Virgin Islands. Identical to within the BVI channel, you possibly can go boating even when it’s tough offshore. Similar factor in The Hamptons when it will get tough offshore, you possibly can nonetheless go boating. And clearly, the seashores are so stunning!
Once you go to the Hamptons, do you like to spend time without work the boat?
No manner I like to be on a ship within the Hamptons. It’s a boater playground.
What’s probably the most difficult place to dock your boat within the Hamptons?
Hahah, I don’t have a look at it prefer it’s onerous to dock. I solely see it as a spot to dock. 😊
Let’s discuss your new ebook, “Be the Calm or Be the Storm” You give attention to management and getting probably the most out of a group. In your life, did that keenness and knowledge come from having actually good or unhealthy managers?
Completely, all of us be taught what we would like and don’t wish to be like as adults. If we’re open to studying and having that want to be a greater human for ourselves. I comply with that Golden Rule, deal with others the way you wish to be handled. That’s how I lead.
Does the ebook focus in your profession past Under Deck?
Undoubtedly, I had a protracted profession as a captain. Earlier than tremendous yachts, I used to be on some small boats, and the completely different personalities, and I labored for individuals I needed to emulate. I assumed I preferred how they did this, and there are individuals I labored for, and I’m like, man, I’ll by no means deal with my crew like this life. I realized classes that if you happen to keep open-minded and attempt to stay teachable, you’ll prefer to be taught. I absolutely realized what not to do.
This isn’t a ebook only for captains, proper? From what I’ve learn, there are many management classes.
Completely, self-leadership. Lead your self first after which lead groups by storytelling. My expertise is that many individuals inform me they watch the present only for management suggestions, which is tremendous cool.
I used to be struck by the phrase “Self-Management” in your ebook. Typically, we consider main and following exterior concepts or individuals, not main ourselves. How have you ever realized self-leadership in your life?
For me, it was by working the 12 steps. I needed to be taught to let go of the character shortcomings that didn’t work for me and learn to construct a personality that has integrity, loyalty, belief, and the record goes on. I realized examine my ego on the door and stay teachable. Self-Management is ensuring I’m mentally sound earlier than I embark on main others.
You communicate candidly on TV and within the ebook about getting sober at 25. How a lot of the “internal work” you write about have you ever realized whereas working the 12 Steps at AA?
As an adolescent, I used to be deemed ungovernable by a choose as a result of my mother and father didn’t know assist me. I used to be court-ordered to remedy, however that didn’t work. I used to be arrested, and that didn’t work. I used to be out and in of remedy facilities, midway and ¾ manner homes, and that didn’t work. It was after I began to work a 12-step program, acquired a sponsor, and went to conferences every day— THAT WORKED and continues to work so long as I hold doing the work. I addressed the “WHY” I used. I needed to change the individuals, locations, and issues I used to hang around with and go to. That’s how I proceed to remain clear & sober.
Optimism is a throughline of the ebook (and visual on TV!). Have you ever at all times thought of your self optimistic?
I used to be born an optimist. I solely see the glass half full; I see the potential within the individuals I lead, and I really like being an optimist. The pessimist ought to attempt having an optimistic, feel-good outlook and see how that modifications their outlook on life.
What are you most enthusiastic about with the discharge of your new ebook?
I simply wish to hear individuals’s suggestions and opinions on Amazon as a result of I’m inquisitive about what persons are getting out of my ebook. That’s what I needed. I do know my intention, however I might like to know what persons are getting out of it.
That’s so superior! I’ll embrace an Amazon Guide Overview hyperlink within the article! [Click here to review!]
Management is a superb segue to speaking about you on Under Deck. A lot of Under Deck is about Management, and also you embody many sorts of management—persistence, de-escalating conflicts, and listening—particularly coping with some difficult personalities. Do you ever lose your mood? How do you method de-escalating battle on the boat?
Sure, after all, I’m a human being, and I lose my mood, however while you’re in heated conditions, it’s a must to be the calm in the midst of the storm, and that’s an ideal instance. It’s a pure, relaxed surroundings. So I attempt and ensure I pay attention—you need them to know that you just hear. You don’t wish to really feel like you’re attacking them as a result of I don’t know the entire story. I’m simply studying, and I can’t take sides.
You’ve been on Under Deck for greater than 5 seasons. How has your method to the present modified over time?
We’ve got developed collectively. Once you work in an business for a while and are open to vary and studying be higher, do a greater job for the entire, have mutual respect, and evolve collectively. That creates an surroundings of sustainability, and that results in your success.
Do you and Leah Rae, your accomplice, watch the present collectively? Does she know roughly what’s going to occur?
In fact, we watch it collectively! For probably the most half, no, however I do know if I fired any individual. I be taught a lot in regards to the crew from watching the present. I really feel like everyone else like, “holy crap, what’s gonna occur subsequent??”
I watch the present with individuals within the service/hospitality business who at all times point out how a lot they respect your management fashion.
Service professionals know that it’s all in regards to the service. You see that because the lengthy objective and wish repeat shoppers, proper? Your crew determines the visitor expertise by their service and skill to take care of the calm when somebody’s triggering them not directly.
It was superior to see you fill in for Captain Lee this season! My associates will yell at me if I didn’t ask if you happen to may share any particulars in regards to the present season.
All I can say is it can get crazier. Simply hold watching. Individuals begin melting down, proper? As a result of they get drained, individuals get lazy, ingesting could make issues extra strained…
Let’s swap gears: Have you ever at all times been Captain Sandy, or have been you at one level, Captain Yawn?
Most individuals within the yachting business go by their first identify. So, you hardly ever get referred to as by your final identify. I believe that’s extra within the army and delivery world. Captain Lee. Captain Glenn, Captain Jason, Captain Kerry…
Have you ever been watching Journey?
Oh yeah, I actually like Captain Kerry lots. I like all of them. They’re nice.
What are the important expertise you search for in your crew on Under Deck?
Character and the willingness to be taught.
Are you a unique fashion of captain on Under Deck than on different yachts?
All of us carry our experiences, and every one in all us has had completely different views. So sure, we’re all completely different in how we lead.
How has your profession as a captain modified since Under Deck?
It’s completely different from after I was on one vessel full-time. It’s bittersweet generally. I miss the longevity of the crew I get to rent. However, when the crew is forged, I get a brand new set of challenges, which retains me on my toes. New boat, new crew, new adventures with Under Deck. It’s enjoyable!
Talking of latest adventures, you’re very busy with numerous initiatives within the works. Are you able to share some updates with us?
Any replace on when your Florida restaurant, Maritime 618, might be opening?
The constructing cannot be saved. We’re within the strategy of demolition and are at the moment in search of traders to construct it so we are able to fill it!
I’ve cherished your podcast, The Captain Sandy and Leah Rae Present. What subjects have been coated prior to now, and what do you’ve deliberate for future episodes?
Oh, my goodness, the followers needed to listen to from Leah, so we created a YouTube Channel – Podcast. It’s about our experiences and the way they’ll profit others by at all times selecting to do the NEXT RIGHT THING!
How did you resolve to get into podcasting? Do you want podcasts your self?
We employed a producer and simply did it. Typically individuals get caught out of worry; take the danger. I at all times say this to myself; If I attempt it and if it really works, awesomeness; if it doesn’t, a minimum of I attempted.
If you happen to have been chartering a Superyacht…
What’s your favourite water sport? — The French Rivera and The Amalfi Coast
What social gathering theme would you request? — On line casino Royale
Superyacht or sailboat? — Superyacht 😉
Caribbean, Australia, Mediterranean? — Mediterranean
Would you’ve dinner with the captain? — 🙂 All of them!
Thanks for taking the time to speak with me and we are able to’t wait to see what occurs subsequent on Under Deck! Be sure you decide up a replica of Captain Sandy’s new ebook!
About Captain Sandy Yawn:
As a famend superyacht captain with over 30 years of worldwide maritime expertise, Yawn’s integrity and braveness have earned her an excellent repute as an elite class of captain and recognition from the Worldwide Superyacht Society, which bestowed upon her the distinguished Distinguished Crew Award for her bravery amid a catastrophic fireplace and pirate risk that occurred in 2006 off the coast of Yemen.
