Captain Mac Whirr

The great leadership qualities of Captain MacWhirr

It is said that trials and difficult times in life do not produce character, but rather reveal it. Throughout the great typhoon of the sea, and the storm of personalities on board, it is evident that Captain MacWhirr possessed great leadership skills . Whether the Captain had to deal with impatient Jukes or navigate through the horrific storm, justice, temperance, fortitude, and prudence were always on display.

One of the necessary qualities for effective leadership is justice. If a person in authority has many talents and gifts to lead, but does not possess justice, factions are inevitable. Justice is the glue that keeps a team or a ship together. Captain MacWhirr demonstrated the character quality of justice in two ways.

The first example of justice was demonstrated when MacWhirr commanded that the ship be steered four degrees off co

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MacWhirr believed that before a man was fit to work the ship he should be able to answer certain questions regarding specific knowledge about typhoons, cyclones, hurricanes and much, much more (149). Anytime a captain was surrounded by a group of mortal sailors it took great self-control or temperance to keep all in harmony, maintaining an atmosphere of peace. Captain MacWhirr made the decisions that he made because of the character that he possessed.

As the Captain, MacWhirr demonstrated great fortitude in the face of fearful circumstances.

Captain MacWhirr’s leadership was steady because he possessed temperance. Outside, the Storm was raging but on the inside of the ship MacWhirr demonstrated fortitude by not laying down (154). MacWhirr demonstrated great leadership by maintaining a reputation for having all the answers. When the times got tough he did not waver.

Showing his practical wisdom, MacWhirr realized that it is what is on the inside that comes out under pressure.

Though Captain MacWhirr felt the loneliness of command, he faced the winds, and uneasiness of the ship with great temperance. No fighting was allowed on board and that meant the Chinamen also. Captain MacWhirr was a great example of true leadership.

The second way that MacWhirr demonstrates fortitude is in the way he sacrificed personal comfort for the sake of effective leadership. Most men would use the storm as an opportunity to excuse themselves of their duty.

The second way that justice was effectively demonstrated was in the way that Captain MacWhirr protected the Chinamen from fighting amongst themselves (174).

Approximate Word count = 609
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

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