Be the Calm or Be the Storm

“I have been fortunate to have competed against and worked with some very strong women, all with unique traits that have made them leaders in their respective fields. What stands out the most about Captain Sandy is that she is a true leader. One who leads with wisdom through experience—the wisdom to be passionate and compassionate, graceful yet strong, all while serving the ever-present roles of captain and mentor. As an author, Captain Sandy offers tools and tips on how to take control of one’s life and how doing so gives us the best chance of excelling at whatever we choose. In this compelling and engaging narrative, she proves that anyone is capable of navigating the storms of life.” — Gigi Fernández, professional tennis player and Olympic gold medalist

“Captain Sandy is effectively the CEO of the vessel she captains, leading with calm, confidence, and humanity. For those looking to lead in any industry, or even to govern themselves, readers will be inspired by the unique and skillful way she navigates the stormiest of seas.” — Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises

“I have known this woman since she was scrubbing barnacles off the bottom of boats. Captain Sandy brings a positive and contagious energy to everything she does, including the breathtaking storytelling she has gifted us through this book. It not only inspires readers with wisdom to help them chart their own course, it entertains, just like Captain Sandy herself.” — John Flynn, CEO of Fleet Advantage

“Captain Sandy is a woman who has earned every stripe, standing tall at the helm of the superyachts she steers. What is most astonishing about her story is not just the calm and focused way she leads through crisis (which I was firsthand witness to when she faced pirates on the Red Sea), but the way she triumphed over her past and has remained committed to sobriety for more than three decades.” — John Allen, CEO of Quantum Marine Stabilizers

“Sandy Yawn is not only a terrific captain, she is a shrewd and enterprising businesswoman, all of which I personally witnessed during her time at the helm. Whether you want to start a business, lead a company, or be a yacht captain yourself, these chapters are packed with wise words and examples to launch your own success.” — James H. Herbert II, founder and executive chairman of First Republic Bank

“This is a leadership book that is as unique as Captain Sandy’s approach and life experience. She gets to the heart of what it means to be a servant leader—someone who puts the greater good above herself, whether that is taking care of charter guests, developing the skill sets of her crew, or assuring the safety of all souls on board. From harrowing tales of 20-foot seas to comic episodes with demanding and eccentric guests, these pages contain leadership lessons for anyone from a student of the navigation industry to a Fortune 500 executive.” — Romaine Seguin, CEO of Good360, former president of UPS Global Freight Forwarding

“Captain Sandy’s fascinating stories about her experience at the helm of megayachts translate equally well into the C-suite and boardrooms of the business world. The lessons captured in her stories and captain’s log can help leaders of every stage and situation navigate the changing and unpredictable waters of today’s corporate world. As an educator of entrepreneurial leadership, I think this should be required reading for every current and aspiring entrepreneur.” — Rebecca J. White, Ph.D., Walter Distinguished Chair of Entrepreneurship, director of the John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center, University of Tampa