Don Sheppard

Bluewater Sailor is the final in a triology describing Don Sheppard’s rise through the ranks from seaman to destroyer captain. The others ([b:Destroyer Skipper|2103902|Destroyer Skipper A Memoir of Command at Sea|Don Sheppard|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|2109285] and [b:Riverine|147803|Brown Water, Black Berets Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam (Bluejacket Paperback Series)|Thomas J. Cutler|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172190955s/147803.jpg|142639] are somewhat different , but equally fascinating.) Throughout all three, Sheppard, a mustang, describes learning — often the hard way— about leadership Nima washi is a Japanese concept of management. Nima washi is a horticultural term that translated loosely means “binding the roots.” If the roots on a tree are well bound before transplanting, growth is assured. As a management style, it means getting general consensus before proposing a plan, then by the time the plan is put forth, so much has been said about it, that everyone feels a part of the decision making process and easily accepts it. Another more basic concept of leadership that Sheppard clearly subscribes to is that the team leader not be perceived as benefiting or profiting at the expense or exclusion of the group. Many of the episodes are humorous and self-effacing. While in San Francisco, as captain of the destroyer Cambridge, he took dependents and members of the Navy Club on PR cruises. On one special occasion they hit a whale, which became grossly lodged, partially split, on the knife-like bow. He attempted numerous maneuvers to disentangle the creature, to the dismay and horror of his esteemed passengers, many of whom became quite seasick during the high speed twists and turns. Finally the whale broke in two and slid toward the rear of the ship. Sheppard realized only too late what would happen when tons of blubber meet a propeller turning at high speed just as the guests were leaning over the side to watch. It was not pretty. And then there was the time purple undershorts saved a man’s career in the navy. Sheppard writes well. His description of leaving harbor for the safety of open ocean just as a vicious storm hit will have you holding the chair white-knuckled.… (altro)