Rowing has become a popular image for working towards a universal goal. I have used the metaphoric language, “get everyone rowing in the same direction” many times because it does paint a wonderful picture of teamwork, unity, and working towards a common outcome. The truth is most of my rowing experience comes from rubber rafts on mountain lakes in my youth where I was the lone rower, so what the hell do I know about rowing in the same direction?
As someone who has never experienced competitive rowing and knows very little about it, I decided to educate myself, specifically using 8 or more competitive rowing crew. The long, sleek, and narrow boat used in rowing is called a racing shell. These racing shells have evolved over many years into the highly specialized watercraft used today. Originally built from wood they are now made from a composite, carbon-fiber material that is extremely strong and lightweight.
Seats the rowers use glide back and forth because they are mounted on rollers and this allows more power out of the rower’s legs with a frictionless slide. Before the invention of the sliding seat rowers would cover their trousers with grease so they could slide along the fixed seat to best maximize the power in their legs. Because the racing shells are so narrow outriggers were added so that longer oars could be used allowing much more length to each rower stroke and this later lead to the sliding rigger as well.
The most interesting element of competitive rowing is that it is not actually possible to row in the wrong direction due to oarlocks. Oarlocks hold the oars in place, act as a fulcrum, and make rowing easier and while prohibiting one rower from making the shell go in a different direction from other rowers. All the elements of the shell have been designed to keep the team moving in sequence, and in the same direction.
Racing shell teams, also known as crew teams, have specific duties related to their spot inside the boat. The first rower in the back of the boat is in the “stroke seat.” This is usually the rower who sets the dictated pace. In the bow or the front of the boat is where the rower with the best technique is placed, this is called the “Bow Seat”. The other 6 rowers, known as the “engine room” are in the middle and they provide the power.
Each rower only has one oar, and the shell is designed to only go in one direction with the rowers all backs towards the finish line. The coxswain is the person seated at the stern and they are the only one facing forward who sees the direction the boat is headed. The literal meaning of the word coxswain is “boat servant” and although they themselves do not row they are tasked with:
Setting the speed/pace by calling out strokes,
Steering the most efficient course,
Fluidity (flexibility)/timing,
Safety of the rowers,
Feel of the boat,
Motivating the rowers (cheerleader), and
Coaching technique and running drills to improve technique.
After learning about competitive rowing teams the metaphor “rowing in the same direction” actually has a much more granular and impactful meaning. As leaders it is important to carefully build our organizations like a racing shell. We want to design an organization where it becomes difficult or impossible to row against what the rest of the team is trying to accomplish. This doesn’t mean we are looking for conformity or don’t value individual ideas, this is about creating cohesion towards a common outcome. Innovation and buy in from our team and others is imperative as we look to create the optimal vessel to reach our objectives. Just like racing shells have evolved and improved over time so should our organizations.
Sliding seats, riggers, and oarlocks are designed to help the team members maximize their power to the fullest and, as leaders, we should be looking for the tools and methods to help maximize our teams as well. In some organizations it may be as simple as the proper tools to do a job, others may need better training for their team. Work-life flexibility or working remotely has become a tool many organizations have found useful to maximize capabilities.
Placement of each team member inside the shell is based on their individual strengths to get the best result. People all have different talents and recognizing and utilizing those abilities is what great leaders do. Common mistakes organizations make include elevating employees to a position above their competency or allowing team members to stay on the boat who are not capable, or do not put in the effort to help the team succeed.
The “Boat Servant” or coxswain’s job when racing they set the pace and choose the most efficient course. The coxswain is concerned for the safety of the team and through their experience has an overall feel for the boat giving them the ability to make quick decisions. During a race the coxswain is the only one who can see where the boat is going, but just like any other experienced leader, they share the vision with the team before the race and be able to quickly make adjustments during the race.
Rowing in the same direction should be the default setting of all organizations. The true North Star of a group should be towards an extraordinary thing that happens in rowing that is difficult to achieve or even fully define is known as ‘swing.’ According to George Pocock, a builder of racing shells and influencer in the world of rowing, “Therein lies the secret of successful crews: Their swing makes the work of propelling the shell a delight.”
Swing happens when we achieve the type of cohesion where individuals become one smoothly working machine and move towards something bigger than themselves. Swing is achieving nearly perfect synchronization or unison between all rowers leading to a shell gliding at top speeds. Swing is where a group of individuals are so in rhythm, balanced, and aligned they are able to achieve amazing results. Swing is harmony in motion.
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