a different kind of corporate culture....

So, every now and then a whore gets inspired:  I just completed a transatlantic crossing on board the Queen Mary 2.  Aside from enjoying classic ocean liner luxury, I became keenly aware of the unique "culture" that existed among the crew on the ship.  The staff could not have been more diverse (all 1,400 of them).  They could not have been more excited to be there and to deliver outstanding service to every passenger.  They appeared to have a camaraderie that I've never seen in a corporate or hospitality culture in the states.  And their personal stories were amazing.  Our nightly martini waiter told us stories of growing up in Serbia where diversity was not embraced -- he openly admitted that before his tour of duty on the QM2 he would never have had conversations with the likes of us -- he had wisdom, optimism and spirit that was refreshing.  And dreams that were likely inspired by his experiences at sea.  Another story:  a bartender from Hungary told us how he began working for Cunard because he had followed the love of his life onto the boat -- three years later, he admitted that his relationship had ended and he said, "I lost my partner, but at the same time, I fell in love with the ship."  We were so enchanted by the employees, their authenticity and their charm that we were ready to leave the fancy decks of the boat and join the employees at the "crew bar" on deck one.   We never made it down there....despite our fascination. Why can't we replicate this kind of spirit in corporate America?  Cunard is for profit.  Prostitution definitely exists inside the company and on board the ships.  And I'm sure politics flourish.  But, for some reason, they were different.