A few weeks ago, I watched thirteen exhausted paddlers keep encouraging each other after hours on the water at a training camp in Mexico.
Five days of training.
Multiple sessions a day.
Technique changes that felt awkward and uncomfortable.
And yet, something powerful happened.
Instead of frustration or complaints, the team leaned into the challenge. They adapted, supported one another, and kept adjusting their stroke.
Watching them, I couldn’t help but think about the teams many leaders are trying to guide right now.
Constant change.
New expectations.
Pressure to perform at a higher level.
Whether you're in a dragon boat or a workplace, the same truth applies:
When people aren’t aligned, the team works harder but moves slower.
When the Pace Increases, Alignment Matters More
Our team is evolving.
We’re moving from a recreational mindset toward becoming more competitive. That shift means higher expectations, more discipline, and a willingness to improve.
Before we left for camp, we held a meeting with the paddlers to talk about expectations.
Not just logistics.
Mindset.
We talked about what it would mean to be coached by people who may do things differently than we do. We talked about being agile, open, and adaptable to feedback.
And we were clear about something else too:
No complaining about the heat.
No complaining about long practices.
No resisting change in the moment.
Because at camp, the plan changes constantly. Coaches adjust based on what they observe — how the team is responding, what individuals need, and where improvement is possible.
Some mornings we paddled for two hours.
Some afternoons went longer than expected.
The only way to succeed was to stay flexible and committed to the shared goal.
In many workplaces today—especially with AI, shifting priorities, and constant change—this same agility is required.
But teams often aren’t set up for it.
Clarity is missing.
Expectations are fuzzy.
And without that foundation, people resist instead of adapt.
Every Seat Matters
Dragon boat is the ultimate team sport.
Each paddler sits in a seat with a specific role. Some provide power. Some set timing. Some stabilize the boat.
Different ages.
Different fitness levels.
Different strengths.
But if even one paddler is out of sync, the boat loses glide.
At camp, what stood out to me most was how the team supported each other — especially when people were exhausted or struggling with new techniques.
Encouragement came naturally.
Because everyone understood something important:
The boat only moves well when every seat contributes.
In my experience, organizations say this often.
But how often do teams truly feel it?
Too often, people don't see how their work connects to the larger strategy. They don’t understand how their role affects the outcome.
And when that connection is missing, motivation fades.
Feedback Is Vulnerable — and Powerful
One of the most impactful moments at camp came during our feedback sessions.
Each paddler was filmed on the water. Later, the coaches reviewed the footage frame by frame in a group session.
Imagine seeing your stroke projected on a screen while a coach analyzes:
- what you’re doing well
- what could be stronger
- what small adjustments could improve the whole boat
It’s a vulnerable experience.
But it’s also incredibly powerful.
Because improvement happens faster when feedback is clear, specific, and shared in service of the team’s goal.
In business, this level of openness is rare.
Many teams avoid giving honest feedback. Leaders hesitate to address what isn’t working. Individuals worry about judgment.
Yet without that visibility, teams never quite find their rhythm.
They paddle hard—but not together.
The Moment That Stayed With Me
There was a point during camp when everyone was tired.
Hours on the water. Muscles aching. Technique changes that didn’t feel natural yet.
And still, paddlers kept encouraging each other.
They kept trying.
They kept adjusting.
Because they understood something bigger than individual effort:
The goal wasn’t just to paddle harder.
The goal was to paddle together.
That’s the moment every team is searching for.
When people feel connected to the purpose, to each other, and to the impact of their role.
That’s when the boat really starts to glide.
Three Questions for Leaders
If you’re leading a team right now, especially in a time of rapid change, it might be worth asking yourself:
- Have I created clear expectations for how we show up as a team — not just what we deliver?
- Does every team member understand how their role contributes to the larger goal?
- Have we created a culture where feedback helps the team move faster — not something people avoid?
Because whether you’re in a dragon boat or leading a team at work, the principle is the same:
Hard work alone doesn’t move the boat.
Alignment does.
When people understand the goal, trust each other, and feel their role matters, something shifts.
The effort becomes synchronized.
The energy changes.
And suddenly the team isn’t just paddling harder.
They’re moving forward—together.
2 comments
Cindy, you effectively applied the metaphor of rowing to the importance and significance of team work regardless of the context. Creatively presented. Hats off to you. Keep rowing.
Cindy… love this so much. They are blessed to have you as their coach and leader.