I started rowing again this spring after a 30 year pause.

The last time I rowed was in college.  I was in my 20’s – fit, fearless and flexible.

Now in my 50’s I find I am more cautious and clumsy.

It feels different to be a 50 year old rower than a 20 year old rower.

When the boat lists to one side…

…In my 20s I would think: whose hand levels are off, oh maybe it’s mine. I’ll adjust.

…In my 50s I am thinking: how possible is it to tip over in this thing because if we do 

I’ll get cold and it will take me half a day to warm up.

When you’re standing with one foot on the dock and one foot in the boat and it starts to drift…

…In my 20s I would think: Just going to use my leg strength to 

bring the boat back alongside the dock.

…In my 50s I am thinking: oh no, oh no, if I fall in the water

I’ll get cold and it will take me half a day to warm up.

The club I row with has two experienced coxswains and three boats that need steering, which means all of the rowers take a turn in the driver’s seat.

…For those who don’t know, the coxswain is the person who sits in the stern of the boat directing the 8 person crew. The cox, or coxie, is director, strategist and motivator. Functionally, she  is responsible for steering the boat and coordinating the power and rhythm of the rowers. She also watches the other boats, deciding when to increase stroke rate and power to gain or pull ahead and she motivates rowers to keep pushing through the pain they feel when they are pulling their hardest. She’s the only one facing forward…

On a recent morning I was rowing in a boat with a rower/cox when, in the middle of driving hard through continuous rowing, the coxswain said “um.” 

It really threw me off.

And judging from what happened next I was not the only one.

I felt the focus go out of the boat, the rhythm broke and we were wobbling and splashing. Some people tried to give direction from the middle of the boat, some just kept on keeping on and one or two may have decided it would be a good time to look for the eagle that nests in a tree by the side of the lake.

It made me think about the importance of clarity in leadership and how it helps to establish a shared sense of purpose and direction, promote efficiency and productivity, and build trust and credibility with others.

The need for clarity in an organization is the same as in the boat:

• It helps to establish a shared understanding of goals and expectations within the organization. When leaders are clear about what they want to achieve and how they expect team members to contribute, it creates a sense of purpose and direction that can motivate and inspire others.
• It promotes efficiency and productivity. When leaders provide clear direction and expectations, team members are better able to focus their efforts and work towards specific goals. This can help to streamline workflows and reduce confusion and errors, which can ultimately improve performance and results.
• It is essential for building trust and credibility. When leaders are clear and honest in their communication, it establishes a sense of transparency and authenticity that can build trust with team members, customers, and other stakeholders.

Interested in becoming a leader who can deliver results by keeping the focus in the boat and the energy going in one direction?

Reach out to learn more

Ebb Tide develops AGILE leaders who are:

Adaptive

Goal Oriented

Have Integrity

Are Lifelong Learners

And Emotionally Intelligent