Sailing Together
Leading like a Pirate?
“The problem is not the problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem.”
— Captain Jack Sparrow
Sailing Together
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life
Pirates may not be the first group that comes to mind when thinking about teamwork and leadership, but history tells a different story. Some of the most successful pirate crews in history, such as those led by Black Bart (Bartholomew Roberts) and Blackbeard (Edward Teach), thrived not just through brute force, but through strong leadership, democratic principles, and a shared sense of purpose.
Unlike the hierarchical naval ships they often raided, pirate crews operated under a surprisingly fair and inclusive system. They understood that for a crew to function efficiently, everyone had to have a voice. They elected their captains, voted on major decisions, and shared their treasure equitably. Each crewmember, regardless of rank or background, had a stake in the mission, which strengthened their loyalty and commitment.
Beyond their democratic structures, pirate crews were also quite inclusive. Unlike many societies of the time, pirate ships welcomed people from different races, nationalities, and backgrounds. On Queen Anne’s Revenge, Blackbeard’s ship, over 300 men from all walks of life worked together under a common code. What mattered wasn’t where you came from, but whether you pulled your weight and contributed to the crew.
Another lesser-known aspect of pirate culture was their code of conduct. Each ship had a set of agreed-upon rules that kept things running smoothly. These codes addressed issues such as how treasure was divided, how disputes were settled, and the consequences of breaking trust. While their punishments were severe, the structure kept order among men who otherwise lived lawless lives.
One example is Article VII of the pirate code, which mandated marooning or execution for deserting the ship during battle. While quite harsh, it ensured that every crewmember remained accountable to the mission. Modern teams can learn from this concept—establishing clear values and expectations allows everyone to hold each other accountable in the pursuit of a shared purpose.
While it’s not recommended you adopt every aspect of pirate culture in your life, the democratic principles, inclusive practices, strong moral framework, and shared purpose that characterized these seafaring teams give us something to think about as we strive to build cohesive, high-performing teams.
Much like a well-run pirate ship, successful teams thrive on trust, fairness, and a shared vision. Set your own “code” to sail toward greater teamwork and success!
“It's a blessing for a person to have a hand in determining their own fate.”
— Blackbeard
Connecting this quote to the story. The ability to have a say in one's destiny and work collaboratively toward common goals is a valuable gift and we can learn from pirates to apply to modern-day teamwork.
Chasing Influence tip: Recognize contributions fairly; acknowledging effort will foster loyalty.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2025