The coxswain isn’t rowing

If you’ve ever seen crew rowing, you’ve probably noticed there's often one person in the boat who isn’t rowing — at all!

There she sits in the rear of the boat, just watching, and talking (often shouting).

What the heck? Is this person serving any purpose at all? Isn't she just dead weight?

Nope.

That's the coxswain, and she (or he) is filing a very important role.

The rowers is all face the rear of the boat. They can't see where they're going.

They also don't have a clear view of each other.

But the coxswain faces forward and sees all of them. The coxswain is there to steer the boat, and to coordinate the power and rhythm of the rowers.

Far from being a deadweight impediment, the coxswain is critical to the success of the team.

Here's the thing:

Any project you undertake, any coordinated effort among your team members, needs somebody to watch, and steer, and coordinate.

Some outsiders, or even some team members, might assume that person is not pulling their weight.

But without that coordination, everybody's work is at risk of failure.

All the best,
A.