Where does life lead us?
Life is a journey, and with the right guidance, it can steer us toward our true calling.
In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Martin Krafft about his transition from a life at sea to professional training and coaching.
Podcast Highlights
Martin’s personal journey. Martin shares a bit about his background.
Shifting from a Master Mariner to a coaching career. Martin shares his journey of career transition.
A student of life. Martin shares his commitment to lifelong learning.
Being an experienced coach. Martin reflects on his role as a coach.
What makes a good leader. Martin defines leadership and what it takes to become a good one.
Ways to manage oneself. Martin offers advice on how people can manage themselves to make better decisions.
The Ikigai Tribe experience. Martin shares his experience of joining Nick’s Ikigai Tribe coaching session.
Ikigai in the lives of the Japanese. Martin shares his observations of how the Japanese live with ikigai.
Always in the making - never made. Martin shares the reason behind his mantra.
Passion for sailing. Martin shares his love for the ocean and the art of sailing.
Martin Krafft
Martin Krafft is a Master Mariner by training and a seasoned senior executive. He brings over two decades of experience in building cohesive, high-performing teams across three continents and diverse cultures.
He is an adjunct professor at one of France’s leading business schools, where he teaches the elective “Leadership, Career, Values & Purpose.” Together with his students, he explores profound questions about what constitutes "A Life Worth Living."
He is also accredited as an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) by the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
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Martin’s personal journey
Martin was born and raised in Germany. As a carefree youth, his perspective shifted at age 14 when he attended a British sailing school, which he considers his first awakening. This experience ignited his passion for the sea, leading him to pursue a career as a ship’s captain. At 19, he set sail on container ships, tankers, and square riggers, eventually earning his Master Mariner’s license.
His curiosity about global trade led him to study business, where he gained insights into how nations and companies operate. To deepen his understanding, he pursued law as well. His career flourished beyond his expectations, taking him on an incredible journey. A decade ago, he moved to Montreal, Canada, with his family, where he has found his happy place.
Shifting from a Master Mariner to a coaching career
A Master Mariner by profession, Martin spent years navigating ships, ensuring the safe and sustainable transport of goods across continents. However, at 50, he transitioned into a new chapter of his life—one rooted in personal fulfillment and giving back.
His journey toward this shift began at Harvard Business School, where he attended the General Management Program in 2020. Designed to shape subject matter experts into business leaders, the program had an unexpected effect on him. Instead of striving for greater achievements, he found himself slowing down, reflecting, and embracing a sense of calm—especially amid the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This period of introspection led Martin to redefine his purpose. He envisioned his transition as a structure built on the foundation of his loved ones, supported by three key pillars: coaching, teaching, and sailing.
A student of life
Martin shares two key reasons for his commitment to lifelong learning. First, his family's history inspires him—his grandfather was forced into coal mining at 14, and his mother was denied further education due to gender expectations. Their unrealized potential motivates him to pursue learning.
Second, he draws from the biblical parable of the talents, believing he has both the opportunity and the responsibility to make the most of his abilities. A moment of realization during a coaching session with Nick’s Ikigai Tribe, in which he participated, reinforced this sense of duty, leading him to honor both himself and his ancestors through continuous growth.
Being an experienced coach
The ICF (International Coaching Federation) definition of coaching emphasizes giving clients agency and autonomy, leading them to act based on reflection. While this resonates with Martin, he values his teacher Jim Gavin’s definition that coaching is simply 'what coaches do,' as it allows flexibility and humanity.Martin sees his role as a coach as walking alongside the client, not carrying their burden or making decisions for them. He quotes the 13th-century poet Rumi, who said, 'It’s your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you,' which captures his view that coaching is about supporting clients without taking over their journey.
What makes a good leader
Being a coach comes with leadership responsibilities. Martin emphasizes that leadership is all about people and the responsibility for the performance of a group. He believes effective leadership requires two key things: the ability to influence others and make a difference in their thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Martin identifies three imperatives for great leadership:
Managing oneself
Managing one’s network
Leading a team
He also highlights three crucial questions for value-based leadership:
How do others experience me and themselves in my presence?
What role do I play in the performance or underperformance of others?
How much suffering are you willing to accept that somebody else goes through for your own benefit?
“Leadership should be done properly; working with people should be done properly.” - Martin Krafft
Ways to manage oneself
Martin believes personal growth starts with being in sync with yourself, emphasizing the importance of breathing and being present in your own body. He advises people to avoid seeking validation from others or social media and instead focus on becoming comfortable with themselves.
In a world filled with distractions, Martin notes that many people feel lonelier than ever. To counter this, he suggests practices like breathing, yoga, and self-reflection to help individuals become comfortable in their own company before seeking comfort with others.
The Ikigai Tribe experience
Martin reflects on his experience with Nick’s Ikigai Tribe coaching session, describing it as an incredible and transformative journey. He highlights the high-quality thinking time shared with the cohort, which allowed them to explore deep, meaningful concepts. The session provided valuable tools that helped participants uncover and connect deeply with their experiences.
The sense of intimacy and vulnerability was present from the very first session, despite being conducted online and with participants spread across the globe. Martin recalls the impactful work, such as the Kamiya questions, which challenged fundamental aspects of existence and fostered a deep sense of belonging and transformation within the group. Ultimately, it created a bond that felt like a tribal connection.
Ikigai in the lives of the Japanese
Having visited rural Japan multiple times, Martin discovered tranquility, beauty, and a deep sense of purpose in its people's unwavering dedication to their roles. He recalls a memorable encounter with a taxi driver who took pride in his work, introducing him to the concept of ikigai.
In contrast, Martin’s experience in Tokyo, amid the rush of commuters, left his wife shocked, questioning how ikigai could exist in such a setting. However, he reflects that ikigai takes different forms across Japan’s diverse regions, with rural areas offering a clearer connection to the concept. He concludes that Japan’s vastness and contrasts make it a unique country to explore, blending both serenity and chaos.
Always in the making - never made
Martin sees life as a continuous journey of self-actualization, symbolized by his mantra, ‘Always in the making, never made.’ He connects this idea to his energy, ancestry, and a deep desire to understand and make sense of the world. His ambition is not just personal but extends to his loved ones and the broader world. Fueled by curiosity, he embraces exploration and discovery, striving to live life to the fullest.
Passion for sailing
Martin has always felt a deep connection to the sea, rooted in childhood memories of summers in southern France spent surfing and boating. His passion for the ocean evolved at 14 when he realized it could be more than just recreation—it could have a deeper purpose. He describes the ocean as his ibasho, a place of refuge and empowerment.
Sailing remains both a personal and professional pursuit for Martin. He enjoys solo sailing, where he feels in harmony with the ocean and its marine life. Beyond personal fulfillment, he is also reactivating his Master Mariner's license to contribute to the decarbonization of ocean transportation.
Conclusion
Life is like sailing across the ocean—before reaching our destination, we may face challenges and uncertainties. However, with the right navigation, we can trust that we will arrive safely where we are meant to be. Just as Martin skillfully charted his course, he found his true calling along the way.