How is being a coxswain on a rowing team like being a project manager?
From my experience as a coxswain on the Columbia Crew and as a Project Manager/ScrumMaster, I would say:
- You have one team, who all cross the finish line at the same time.
The team has to work as a whole. So the team members have to respect each other and work toward letting each reach his or her maximum potential. Trust is paramount - each member has to do their part in order for the team to achieve the most it can.
- The coxswain individually coaches each team member
Each individual has different needs and requires a different style of communication. The stronger each individual, the stronger the team as a whole.
- The coxswain steers the boat in a straight line
A clear goal and a straight path to get there are key. The coxswain has to adjust the steering to account for wind, current, and the relative strengths of each side of the boat.
- The coxswain communicates to the team members how the race is going and cheers them on
The team has to know how they're doing. In a rowing race, if they are behind any boats, they can't tell how they are doing because they are facing backward. So it is up to the coxswain to keep them informed and to motivate them.
- The experience of completing a race/project forges the group into a team
Once you have raced together, there is a strong bond. Even after one race at the Columbia alumni races in 2015, with alumni from different years, the team bonded as a group and hung out together after the race.
- The coxswain is responsible for the safety of the team and the boat
Safety first. If any members of the team or the whole boat are at risk, it is up to the coxswain to mitigate or avoid those risks.
- You throw the coxswain into the water if you win.
Thankfully, we don't do that to project managers!