You can’t change the wind, but you can adjust the sails. – Jimmy Dean
Not long ago, I was back in McClellanville, one of my favorite fishing villages here in South Carolina. This small village boasts a population of around 600-700 residents and is one of the most charming places you will ever visit.
Drive down past the quaint homes, and you will make your way down to a row of shrimp boats moored along Jeremy Creek. Named for a local Sewee Native American chief, Jeremy Creek and its waterfront serve as the community’s primary working waterfront and deep water access to the ocean. The waterfront is the heart of the fishing district and home to some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.
As a photographer and history buff, I never get tired of coming to McClellanville. Its charm, history, people, and waters make this a special place.
My visits have also included conversations with the local shrimpers. They are hard-working, weather-worn, rugged, and are preserving a way of life handed down through the generations. I always enjoy my conversations with them. And it’s from them that I glean a few leadership lessons worth sharing.
Navigate the waters you’re given, not the waters you want
Shrimpers don’t determine the tides, currents, or shrimp movements. Successful shrimpers focus on what they can control: preparation, maintenance, equipment, and instincts gained from being out on the water. Not every day is going to be a perfect day, but every day can be a good day when you plan accordingly.
Leadership Tip: Smart leaders don’t waste much time on things beyond their control. They learn to adapt and find another way. They know that not everything will go their way, and they prepare in advance for the unexpected.
Persistence matters
Shrimpers may spend hours dragging nets with little to show for it before finding a productive area. Persistence and patience are key to playing the long game out on the water. It may not always be glamorous, but persistence makes all the difference in shrimping.
Leadership Tip: Persistence is crucial. Good leaders encourage consistent effort and trust the process over time for results.
Preventive maintenance prepares you for the unavoidable
During my time taking pictures, several of the men were working on trawl warps (tow cables) and conducting other inspections on their boat. A shrimp boat will undergo numerous maintenance checks before heading out to the ocean. This would include, but not be limited to, nets, hydraulics, engines, belts, etc.
Leadership Tip: A good leader will invest in people, culture, training, systems, and more. When a crisis occurs, they will be ready. Smart leaders know that the unexpected can and will happen. When it does, they are ready and prepared because they have run through this scenario many times before it ever happened. Smart leaders are prepared to act, not react.
Read the signs others miss
Over time, experienced shrimpers have learned what sets them apart. Novice shrimpers may rely more heavily on sonar and GPS, whereas experienced shrimpers understand water color changes, bird activity, and surface slicks. They build mental maps of mud bottoms, hard shell bottoms, oyster beds, and more. And most importantly, they can handle the weather better. They understand wind shifts and wave formations and can decide to move haul gear or head home hours before a novice realizes that conditions are changing.
Leadership Tip: Good leaders develop situational awareness. They see trends, morale issues, opportunities, and risks before they become obvious to others.
In many ways, leadership and adaptability go hand in hand. In your leadership, you learn that not every plan is set in stone; conditions change, and if you are going to be successful, you will have to adapt. It’s what smart leaders do.
©2026 Doug Dickerson
