Building a Strong Crew Culture with Captain Stefano Gadda

Stefano Gadda doesn’t overcomplicate the job of being a Captain. His approach is practical and built on experience rather than what it should look like on paper.

He grew up in St. Maarten, surrounded by the water from the start. One of his earliest memories says a lot about how that shaped him. “It was storming…raining, windy, really rough,” he says. His dad asked if he still wanted to go fishing the next day. “We went out just the two of us. Didn’t catch anything, but just being out there [on the water], getting splashed, that stuck with me.”

Stefanp spent time studying Economics and Finance in Canada before ending up back on an island, Mallorca, where things clicked. “I met some yachties, did some daywork, and thought, man, this is perfect for me,” he says. He started at 20 and never looked back. “From day one, I knew I wanted to be a captain. Every step was towards that goal.”

He moved up quickly, which meant figuring things out in real time. “That first month…when you realize every decision is on you… it’s a bit nerve-racking,” he admits. What helped was preparation. “Visualization, preparation, giving myself the best shot every day.” That mindset hasn’t changed.

On SKYFALL, he keeps things steady. “Fluid, flexible, calm and composed,” is how he describes his leadership style. There’s no panic, no overreaction. “No matter what the problem is, there is always a solution, and we will figure it out.” It’s a simple approach, but it creates consistency, especially during long or demanding charters.

He also makes a point of sharing information with his heads of department. If they understand the bigger picture, they can do their jobs better. It builds trust and keeps things moving without bottlenecks.

For Stefano, crew culture is non-negotiable. “Crew is everything,” he says. He looks for people who are “keen, driven and happy to be there,” but also people who can think for themselves and solve problems. “We all work long hours, so have fun, keep moving forward, and learn from every opportunity you can.” That mindset matters more than experience alone.

He keeps standards high, but doesn’t separate that from morale. “One of my first officers told me ‘your boat is your business card,’” he says. That stuck. The way the crew presents themselves, the way they work together, it reflects on the whole program. At the same time, he expects people to take feedback and still enjoy the job. “Work hard, have fun, keep learning…we can all improve from each other.”

That balance becomes important during busy seasons. Stefano brings it back to perspective. “We are on a yacht, cruising incredible places, doing things most people can only imagine.” It’s easy to forget that mid-season, but it’s what keeps people motivated.

He also believes in staying open, regardless of experience. “You should always be ready to adapt to new ideas, even from junior crew,” he says. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers but it is about being willing to listen and adjust.

When it comes to the guest side, his mindset is consistent with how he runs the crew. “MAX FUN,” he says. It’s simple, but it works. The goal is to create something people remember.

He also focuses on staying sharp personally. “Eat well, sleep well, laugh, take care of your body,” he says. “Give yourself the best opportunity to be your best self every day.” It’s not complicated, but it’s what allows him to stay consistent under pressure.

For crew coming up in the industry, he advises to push yourself, stay adaptable, and don’t wait to feel ready. “Getting that next promotion is always the hardest, but it’s part of the game,” he says. If you’re putting in the work, you’ll get there.