Team Concepts’ signature Team Champion program offers organizational teams a chance to experience the sport of rowing first–hand under the guidance of elite–level coaches. Participants are divided into learning teams in which the psychology of bonding mechanisms are highlighted and a journey of discovery into their leadership styles begins. Rowing is a team sport in which technique, discipline, and mental tenacity combine to determine the success of a particular boat. Each eight-person crew is required to draw upon each other’s strengths in order to move the boat effectively. Teamwork is not just ideal but is essential to achieve performance and flow in the boat.
By challenging themselves in an unfamiliar context, participants heighten their awareness of their coworkers, discover their inherent strengths of character, demand a sense of balance and synchronicity, and deeply understand the importance of working together toward a common goal. When done properly, rowing provides immediate tactile feedback that the team is aligned and working most efficiently. This translates into more boat speed and an effortless feel as the blade of the oar travels through the water. The same sense of common mission and purpose is a defining characteristic of high–performance teams in business where communication flows and success feels easy.
“I thought it was not only a great experience but also a valuable lesson in true team participation. It was very obvious that all of the oars needed to be in the water at the same time in order for the boat to go smoothly forward. Any variation would cause the boat to do strange things. The same thing is true with a business team. Failure to execute results in a lost sale, an unhappy client, and a loss of revenue. It was the most appropriate team training exercise that I have ever been through.”
M. Holan
