SAN DIEGO – Attendees at Credit Union Journals’ Grow Show here were given the extraordinary opportunity to tour the world’s largest active warship, the U.S.S. Nimitz, and then spend more than an hour below decks with the ship’s captain discussing leadership and innovation.
Attendees traveled to Naval Air Station North Island and were taken aboard the Nimitz. The tour included being given a ride on one of the ship’s enormous elevators, usually used to transport aircraft, to the flight deck of the ship. After being addressed by some of the ship’s crew, credit unions were taken to a stateroom for a meal and remarks by Captain Mike Manazir. Manazir oversees more than 5,000 crew when the ship is active and is preparing the Nimitz for a July cruise.
“I spend a heck of a lot of my time on morale,” Manazir explained. “I can order someone to do something, but I finally figured out in my third command that people whose morale is high are embedded in the results.”
Indeed, Manazir’s name tag doesn’t read Captain, but “Chief Morale Officer.” He frequently makes announcements of sailors who have shown outstanding effort. “I run around and I touch people and what I hope to do is spark a person who doesn’t want to be here. I talk about the opportunities that are available instead of why it sucks to be at sea.”
The motivation for the Nimitz’ crew, said Manazir, is the ship’s reputation – Nimitz repeatedly has been recognized for excellence within the Navy under Manazir.
Manazir told credit unions he places a great deal of trust in his subordinates, and they in turn in their subordinates, to do a job. “I say, ‘Here’s my vision,’ and I let them go.” There is frequent repetition of expectations, he added.
In terms of driving innovation and improvement on the Nimitz, Manazir said he stresses that everyone needs to contribute in order for innovation to occur. Manazir, a 28-year Navy veteran, said he has learned not to disregard what sailors are hearing. “I tend to overcommunicate.”
