A key strategic moment for a crew during a race is taking the stroke rate up.

If you have watched rowing, this moment looks like a surge of power. One boat moves on another, and with each stroke, moves farther past its competitor.

In the boat, it’s an exhilarating moment when executed properly. 

….The boat speed increases, you become acutely aware of the power you are harnessing by synchronizing with the rest of the crew and you can feel your mental strength grow as your boat gains.

You are sending a message of determination, aggression, and a strong desire to win to the other boats. 

…It can disrupt the rhythm of competing crews, potentially causing them to react defensively or make mistakes due to the increased intensity and pace set by the higher stroke rate.

Simply taking the stroke rate up is counterproductive unless you have the endurance and proper technique to harness the application of power. Learning to do this together as a crew is a make or break skill for a boat. 

And it requires the stroke to be steadfast.

The stroke is the rower closest to the stern of the boat. Everyone else follows her timing.

When a crew is learning to take the stroke rate up together, it can feel really clumsy and uncoordinated. People move up the slide at different rates, they swing their bodies asynchronously and . This can mean a wobbly boat or a boat that shifts in weird ways under you.

Through all of it, the stroke has to maintain the higher stroke rate and the ratio between driving the legs down and coming back up the slide, even with all heck breaking loose behind her. She Just keeps on keeping on until people get it together behind her.

With her consistent lead, the other rowers eventually learn to make this transition to a higher stroke rate without losing balance or focus so they can take advantage of the power in every stroke.

This reminds me of the importance of consistency from leaders when setting course for a new direction. 

I’ve talked about how AGILE leadership needs to be Adaptive, but it also needs to be consistent to be Goal Oriented. 

Consistency in setting a new direction is vital because it builds trust, provides clarity, fosters stability, promotes alignment, and enables the achievement of goals. 

1. Building Trust: Consistency establishes trust among team members. When leaders consistently adhere to their stated values, vision, and goals, they demonstrate reliability and integrity. This consistency helps team members feel confident in the leader’s decisions and fosters trust in their abilities to guide the team in the right direction.
2. Clarity and Focus: Consistency provides clarity and focus to the team. When leaders consistently communicate and reinforce the new direction, it ensures that everyone is on the same page and understands the goals and expectations. This alignment helps the team stay focused on the key objectives, preventing confusion or misinterpretation.
3. Stability and Predictability: Consistency creates a sense of stability and predictability within the organization. When leaders are consistent in their approach, decision-making, and actions, it provides a solid foundation for the team. Team members can anticipate how the leader will respond to various situations, which reduces uncertainty and promotes a stable work environment.
4. Alignment and Coordination: Consistency facilitates alignment and coordination among team members. When leaders consistently communicate the new direction and consistently make decisions that align with that direction, it becomes easier for individuals and teams to coordinate their efforts. Consistency helps ensure that everyone is working towards the same overarching goals and minimizes conflicting priorities.

Consistency does not mean inflexibility. Effective leaders consistently communicate the new direction while remaining open to feedback, adaptation, and Learning. They demonstrate consistency in their commitment to the broader goals but also allow for necessary adjustments based on new information or changing circumstances. This flexibility within the bounds of consistency allows leaders to refine their approach and make course corrections as needed.

Interested in becoming a leader who can achieve goals by being consistent?

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Ebb Tide develops AGILE leaders who are:

Adaptive

Goal Oriented

Have Integrity

Are Lifelong Learners

And Emotionally Intelligent