Inc.com: What Rowing Taught This Founder About How to Succeed on a Team
When Eric Frohlich thinks of teamwork, he can't help but think of boats. That's because Frohlich is a passionate rower--he's also the founder of Row House, which offers full-body rowing workouts. After years of indulging in the sport, and as an entrepreneur, he's finally revealing the top teamwork insights he's learned on the water.
1. Create, clarify and authentically believe in a common goal and strategy
Teams can achieve success only when they have a clear goal that everyone agrees on and works for. Each person in the group has to understand how their contributions move everyone forward. That means managers have to be intimately aware not only of each individual's purpose, but also what motivates them to action (e.g., financial incentive, respect or admiration of others) for the good and closeness of the company.
"A common call on the water is 'mind in the boat.' The coxswain is the only one who is seated in the boat that can actually see where the boat is going. Thus, he/she acts as the eyes and ears and has the role of calling the race strategy and requires the trust of the entire crew. This lets each rower focus on what he or she needs to do.
"An effective manager can have the same effect in the workplace. When you really trust that the person who's telling you what needs to be, you can work with complete conviction, as if you're seeing it with your own eyes. That trust helps teams accomplish more together."