My choice of what to talk about has come easily for this one. Clipper 11-12 and what learnings are transferrable to creativity and business. Clipper is the only round the world yacht race crewed by amateurs, and at 40,000 miles its the longest. Founded by Sir Robin Knox Johnston, to give others the opportunity to experience his passion for ocean racing, it has inspired thousands of ordinary people to achieve extraordinary feats.

Clipper is a highly professional organisation. Their safety record is exemplary, corporate sponsors such as Singapore and Edinburgh come back race after race. But what makes Clipper stand out is the contagious mind set that infects every crew member – ‘Can Do’ ! By race start every crew member is intent on successfully achieving their dream of crossing an ocean under sail. When things go wrong at sea, and people are tired, scared and hungry the Can Do mindset creates energy and inventiveness to find ways  around any problem.

Such clarity and alignment of attitude, of intent,  fuels courage, teamwork and creativity. This is the key lesson I take back to the business world with me after crossing the Atlantic ocean.