My Team Lesson From Rowing
Use Rowing’s ‘Body Prep’ at Work
I’m a rower, the in-your-basement-on the-machine-with-no-water-in-sight kind of rower. I love everything about it—the full-body effort, the fluidity of the movement, the soothing swoosh of the belt.
I also love the lingo.
The catch is when you’re positioned at the front of the boat where the oar is ready to catch the water.
The drive is when you’re using your legs, core, and arms to push backward from the catch in a coordinated fashion. This drives the oar through the water to propel the boat forward
The finish is when you pull the handles toward the body and the oars (the blades) come out of the water
Recovery is the moment your oars are out the water and you’re letting the boat move as you prepare for the next stroke by gliding back toward the catch
Skying happens when you’re hands are too low at the catch, forcing the oars too high above the water
Rowing is used in many work analogies. “We need everyone rowing in the same direction.” “Are we all in the same boat?” “If we don’t change, we’ll be up the creek without a paddle.”
Yesterday, I was introduced to the rowing concept of “body prep.” Body prep is a moment to check in with the team. Body prep occurs when everyone on the rowing team stops, at the same time, to check their form. Legs straight, back straight, arms in position, butt balanced, shoulders down, breathing, jaw loose, focused mind.
We need the equivalent of “body prep” in our office work. Teams need to take a pause together and check in. Are we all in good form? Are we letting bad habits creep in? Do we need to refocus? Are we, as individuals, in our best position to serve the whole?
What are ways you can introduce “body prep” moments to your team?
