ROWERS’ SUCCESS OUT OF THE BOAT
Rowing has often been recognized as the quintessential team sport, a universal symbol of how contributing as an individual can help achieve a collaborative goal. But how does competitive rowing actually translate to career success? Let start with a quote from George Pocock, the legendary race shell builder and Yoda of the sport: “Every good rowing coach imparts the kind of self-discipline required to achieve the ultimate from mind, heart and body. Which is why most ex-oarsmen will tell you they learned more… in the racing shell than in the classroom.”
Much of what I remember from 12 years of rowing is actually my experience outside the boat; erg tests, trashbag runs to make weight, 4am alarms, etc. These challenges were designed to make us stronger and so focused that we raced on autopilot; ultimately the rowing became the easy part. Because we had a shared goal, and each of us knew what contribution we would be held accountable, from setting the rhythm, to steering, to inspiration, to technical ability and pure power, there was a deep sense of camaraderie in the trust of your teammates’ execution.
Perhaps my favorite advice shared by Pocock is: “It is hard to make that boat go as fast as you want to. The enemy is the resistance of the water… But that very water is what supports you and that very enemy is your friend. So is life: the very problems you must overcome also support and make you strong in overcoming them.” These words align with the words of Bruce Lee who encourages us to ‘be like water’ and embrace the current situation. Adaptability and agility in dealing with stress drives the perseverance needed to rise up after perceived failure, grow companies, pivot, negotiate with partners, survive economic downturns, and deal with troublesome colleagues.
The goal of a crew is to row not just powerfully, but efficiently, so that the boat almost feels as if it’s gliding above the water. There is no jerking, no leaning, and an overwhelmingly zen-like feeling called ‘swing.’ Similarly, the goal of a startup is to develop traction, or momentum, whereby opportunities begin to present themselves. Not all boats have a sense of swing, and not all startups develop traction. This does not mean that each individual is not contributing 100%, but it does mean that there is misalignment of the shared goal. Perhaps the strategy is there, but the execution is off. Or vice versa. Regardless, it means breaking down mechanics, candid discussions, and re-energization.
Once a rower, always a rower. Keep your head in the boat and pull.
Erin Sykes is a former Villanova University Lightweight 8+ rower and founder of Mission 360, a VOD fitness and wellness platform that encourages users to take ownership of their mind, body, and spirit.
