Captain’s List — Francis Drake #1592
Corsair’s Profiles in Leadership Series
The captains of fiction and history have much to teach us. They are leaders who often serve in times of great challenge and turmoil. Articles in this series focus on an individual captain and utilizes their quotes, their writings, and their actions to inspire core leadership elements in all of us.
Entra en El Draque
Few Captain’s were so bold as Sir Francis Drake. Fewer still so beloved. He defined the concept of pirate for generations and yet he was a patriot and privateer. Or at least that is what his reputation (and the English) would have us believe.
Drake famously continued to bowl when alerted to the presence of the Spanish Fleet. He supposedly remarked that there was plenty of time to finish the game and still destroy the Spanish. His men supposedly left behind a vast fortune to save his life during a perilous raid on the Spanish Main. He is also rumored to have buried more treasure than almost any other pirate.
Reputation — on two fronts
We typically cover two attributes of our Captain role-models in this series. It has been a while since our last article and it felt like time for a subtle change. Drake built a reputation on two fronts, each served him well.
Drake was reviled by the Spanish. Whether they called him the Dragon or the Duck, they called him something. When he famously sacked the Spanish Atlantic coastal ports, he supposedly called out the Spanish king. Titling his successful raids -
Singeing the King of Spain’s Beard
When he became the second explorer to circumnavigate the globe, he quickly noted he was the first Captain to successfully lead the full expedition (Magellan did not survive his trip). Every raid was a success, no matter how much gold and silver he left buried in the sand. And if you lack a PR worthy opponent, get a PR worthy matron (or patron).
Drake sailed the globe on the Pelican, but renamed it just in time to honor his former patron Sir Christopher Hatton and meet his future matron Queen Elisabeth. A relationship that became critical to keeping him from the gallows… pirate.
Many of Drake’s deeds, like the claiming of California (New Albion) for England were declared state secrets. It is no surprise that this situation perturbed him. He went so far as to have them released as a reward for later military victories. Like any great pirate, Drake new the value of reputation.
He makes a strong play for history’s Most Interesting Man In The World. He even looks the part, but I am sticking with Aristotle.
Internal vs External?
While his public persona was setting the world on fire (or at least a king’s beard or two), his reputation with his men was equally unrivaled. Stories abound of their love for him, their faith in him, and other likely tall tales. What is well documented, though mostly by him, is a playful and colorful personality. He had a reputation with his crew and, while likely over-played, was probably based on a healthy and strong relationship.
This was the time of aloof and elitist naval officers, but Drake had more humble origins. He was probably a “player’s coach” and that reputation served him equally well. So it is no accident that he was bowling with his crew in the famous carving. Drake was playing both sides.
The lesson for leaders is this. You need not be universally feared or universally loved. There is an opportunity to be both where it matters most. Most leaders are not this multi-capable. I am not completely certain Drake was either (he did have someone beheaded), but he did his best and managed his reputation to emphasize his successes. It served him well — right up until the dysentery.
Thanks for reading! More Captain’s Lists are coming soon, but if you have a favorite, be sure to recommend them below.
