Row Boat Leadership

You and your team derived a perfect business solutionSales and Marketing executives decide the company
that was absolutely going to yield 40% ROI (Return onwill compete in.
Investment), increase shareholder value, and guaranteeCocksman. The Cocksman stands for the frontline
a nice bonus at year's end but, for some reason, themanagers setting the pace and providing immediate
expected results aren't happening. So, what's goingfeedback to employees and upper management.
wrong?Rowers. The rowers in the boat characterize the
As with any complex business plans, you need a nicepeople or employees in the organization. Deciding how
balance between people, processes and tools. It ismany rowers you need, and what kind of attributes
crucial, though, that the business initiative be brought(like transferable skills) they need is critical to success
down to the everyday employees' level so they canof the business.
understand their role within the larger picture.Rowing. The team rowing in sync signifies the business
With that in mind, using an "everyone mans" analogy toprocess. If the team is out of sync, the speed or
simplify your intricate business strategy into an easy todirection of the boat will be hindered and most certainly
understand language can generate significantveer off course,
improvement in employee relations, understanding andOars. The oars symbolize the tools required to
engagement. Consider using this business is a Rowefficiently and effectively run the race (business).
Boat analogy:Other boats. What is a race without competition? The
Boat. The boat represents the entity as a whole. Theother boats represent the businesses competition.
boat needs to be able to float (i.e. financially stable).Finish Line. The finish line embodies the team reaching
Water. The water around the boat epitomizes theits goal.
current market conditions and, for the most part, is outExecutives and managers that breakdown their
of the control of the organization.business plans into simple to understand analogies
Steering and Directing. The steering corresponds toenergize their employees grasp on how they fit into
upper management. The company Mission Statementthe grand scheme of the business. In short, they buy-in
and STRAP (strategic long term planning) denote theinto their role within the company that leads to
direction.employee engagement which is one of the
Race. The race stands for business channels thecommonalities of highly successful businesses.