48 Hours at Sea with Founders: Leadership Lessons from the Storm
Why Running a Startup Is Like Sailing Through a Storm
7 factors of success for game studios
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Imagine 70 founders and investors, stuck on a boat for 48 hours, coming together in a humbling moment—reverent to the sea, feeling seasick.
Why would anyone in their sane mind go on a trip like this?
That’s exactly what I chose to do by joining the sailing journey from Oslo to Copenhagen organized by ByFounders.
Honestly, I didn’t think too much about it when I decided to join (Thank you, Ian, for throwing this challenge at me!). I just said “yes” with a full heart—embracing the adventure and trusting that I’d learn something new about myself and others that would impact my business. And I did.
Sailing is like running a business.
Here are four key learnings from the trip—valuable reminders and philosophies for running a business. Hopefully, you’ll be inspired to go on a sailing trip yourself… or learn these the hard way through business.
#1 On the ocean, there is no room for ego. Or you die.
On a ship, everyone is crew—no VIPs, no passengers. Everyone must work together to ensure the safety of the group, take shifts, and keep the ship moving. Human conflict or personal drama can have lethal consequences for the entire crew. Discipline and systems are non-negotiable.
In business, when ego gets in the way, decisions are made from fear: fear of looking bad, of disappointing others, or self-preservation. These ego-driven choices serve personal interests rather than the collective (team, customers, shareholders), and they eventually lead to business downfall.
#2 Things will go wrong, and you can’t control it. You survive and let it pass.
We were caught in a storm for 24 hours, with 7-meter-high waves. There was no going back, no staying still—we had to move forward. Sailors navigate by adapting to the sea’s rhythm. Eventually, it passes. The focus is on surviving the waves: systems are stress-tested (does everyone know their role on the ship?), every job matters (lookout, helm, kitchen, safety…), and one failure in the chain can be fatal.
80% of people on board were seasick and vomiting. We were sleep-deprived and exhausted, but everyone had to show up for their shifts (4-8, 8-12, or 12-4). Those who had the energy stepped up for those who didn’t. And eventually, we made it safely to Copenhagen.
In business, turbulent times will come. The task is not to control the market’s waves but to learn to navigate them. Many game companies today are being stress-tested by rapid market changes. Not all were ready—bad systems, depleted founders, resistance instead of adaptation.
#3 Deep connections are forged through hardship (= pain)
At sea, deep companionship is built through shared adversity: vulnerability, sickness, emotional outbursts. Surviving storms together creates emotional bonds that last a lifetime.
In business, co-founder dynamics aren’t tested at the beginning—they’re tested in crisis. Have they weathered a failed venture together? Have they dropped the mask of performance to lead with authenticity, integrity, and honesty? Often, it’s only when the business—or their health—starts to fall apart that this authenticity emerges.
What if we could reach that state of true connection and team performance before things go so bad?
#4 Without purpose, something is missing in the business
The ByFounders team reminded us how essential it is to reconnect with purpose—something many businesses have lost in recent years with a narrow focus on profit.
Out at sea, at the mercy of storms and the unknown, the possibility of death becomes real. It’s humbling. And it reminds us how little we control—except ourselves.
When you’re offline for 24 hours (yes, you can survive it), you’re left with only yourself, or the people around you. That silence can be confronting. But for founders and leaders, it’s essential.
Because beyond fear and shame lies the undeniable core of why we do what we do. Who do we live for? What do we really care about?
It’s rarely just the business. It’s the people we love. The change we want to make.
Isn’t it in Titanic that the heart of humanity lies in the ocean?
Now that AI is making execution seamless, what remains for founders to truly ‘add value’? Maybe it’s our vision, creativity, and energy. That’s what we need to nurture.
What’s next for me?
I’m always seeking extraordinary human experiences that drive transformation and deep connection.
I’ll be integrating these insights into my future ORIN retreats—continuing to foster companionship, sisterhood, and group resilience to support deep transformation.
I believe this is the next level of ‘networking' for humanity. No appearances. No inflated egos. We get real—fast. And that’s what people are craving. The demand for these raw, honest, transformative experiences will only grow with the rise of AI.
One founder who came back from this trip said he gained clarity on his business. He did add that he’s not sure he likes the sea that much now!
It is the experience I didn’t want but needed.
As for me, I found hope and inspiration. Hope for new businesses and investors asking the right questions, and for extraordinary experiences that visionary VC founders—like ByFounders—are enabling.
If you’re interested to learn more, follow ByFounders newsletter to stay informed on their next Voyage in 2026: https://www.byfounders.vc/event/the-voyage
