Catching a crab while rowing is a very dramatic moment.

If you are picturing a crab hanging off the end of an oar, one pincher holding on stubbornly, the other ready to significantly damage anything that comes close, allow me to clarify.

Catching a crab is when the rower’s blade gets trapped in the water by the momentum of the shell, and the oar handle flies backwards, going over the rower’s head or striking the rower’s chest. 

A serious crab can crack a rib, propel a rower from the boat or cause the boat to list, taking on significant water. 

As I mentioned in a previous week’s blog, I’ve started rowing again after a 30 year hiatus.

Last week I had the challenge of rowing in a quad, which is a four person boat where each person rows with two oars instead of one. Sculling (rowing with an oar in each hand) is considered more technically challenging than sweep (holding one oar with two hands). And the smaller the boat, the more impeccable your form needs to be to keep the boat balanced. 

On my second morning sculling I was really struggling. I had caught no less than 5 crabs with my starboard (left) hand. Luckily, my crabs were minor… Frustrating instead of dangerous.

My fellow rowers were kind and understanding. They offered to do practice drills instead of rowing until I better got the hang of it. When I said I wanted to keep going and continue to work out the kinks, they were game and supported me.

Alas, I continued to struggle. 

At this point my shoulders were tense… lest I lose control of my oar and catch another crab. 

My focus was on the impact of my errors on other rowers… instead of on matching their rhythm and strength. 

And, I couldn’t find the right adjustment… so I was trying too many.

About this time, the coach buzzed up in his motorboat to observe us. I let him know I kept catching crabs on starboard and he observed. 

When we finished our piece, he had direct feedback for me about the depth of my oar. I was digging too deep so I was making the boat list and having trouble clearing the water with my oar. His direction to me: 1) control my blade depth by pulling back flat, like the top of a table, instead of in an arc 2) feather the blade back sooner coming out of the water to keep the oar from getting stuck, and 3) watch the back of the person in front of me instead of her oar.

The next piece we rowed was dramatically different. Not perfect, but so much better. 

I felt elated. I was grateful to my fellow rowers for sticking with me while I kept trying. I was grateful to the coach for the specific guidance I could understand and apply. And I felt confident in my ability because I could feel the improvement.

This experience highlights the pivotal role of performance management in our personal and professional growth. Direct feedback, combined with encouragement from teammates, creates an environment that facilitates skill development and propels us towards excellence. 

By embracing continuous improvement, seeking feedback, and nurturing collaboration, we can unlock our full potential and achieve remarkable outcomes in all areas of our lives.

Direct Feedback: The Catalyst for Improvement

Receiving direct feedback from the coach was instrumental in shaping my rowing. He helped me understand the impact of my actions on the boat’s performance. This feedback enabled me to make necessary adjustments, refine my strokes, and elevate our overall performance.

Encouragement from Teammates:

Additionally, the support and encouragement from my fellow rowers played a crucial role in boosting my confidence and motivation, making it easier for me to approach the challenges I was having with a growth mindset.

Rowing, like any other skill, requires practice, persistence, and a growth mindset. Feedback is not a judgment of our worth but rather a means to enhance our abilities. Embracing feedback as an opportunity for growth allows us to constantly adapt and improve, pushing our limits to achieve remarkable results.

Similar to rowing, a collaborative work environment where teammates offer direct feedback and encouragement can fuel individual and collective growth. By fostering open communication, teams can enhance their problem-solving capabilities, adapt to challenges, and achieve exceptional results. Performance management practices that emphasize ongoing feedback and recognition empower employees, contributing to a positive work culture and higher engagement levels.

Interested in becoming a leader who can deliver performance management in a way that builds trust and strengthens relationships?

Reach out to learn more

Ebb Tide develops AGILE leaders who are:

Adaptive

Goal Oriented

Have Integrity

Are Lifelong Learners

And Emotionally Intelligent