We had loads of fun on Saturday. We also learned some key lessons for our social business. But first, watch this video of us rowing our hearts out.
Ok. Did you see it? Probably not. We are the boat at the bottom of the screen, beginning to edge out the other boat near the finish line of our 2nd heat.
No. That’s not what I wanted you to see; what I wanted you to see was a team of rowers (totalling 17: including Camberwell, Shine, friends, family and business partners) working together to win. Paddles stroking in near unison. You see, in Dragon Boat racing you need a combination of things to win: ability to listen, ability to work together, and good technique. It’s the perfect metaphor for successful business.
Our first heat was a disaster. We all paddled like hell, but did not go very fast and it was a bumpy wet ride.
Our second heat was superb. We all paddled like hell, but together and with a focus on our technique and it was a smooth ride with only some gaps in concentration.
Our third and final heat put us momentarily in the top 3 (out of 26 boats) and helped us beat a boat full of husky firemen! We paddled like hell, together, with good technique and a concentration on the little things (stroke, timing, paddle positions, seating positions, not looking at the other boat, etc.). This time we were near perfect (for a saturday afternoon with no prior experience!).
We ended up 5th out of 26th! Coming from nearly dead last to missing the finals by less than a second. Awesome!
What we won? The understanding (from the proof our efforts) that working together, listening to the leader and each other, paying attention to the little things (good technique), and doing our best – whatever that is – it is possible to beat the big guys. We will be taking these lessons to heart as we learn to adjust from a hyper, active enthusiastic team to a hyper, focused enthusiastic team…and hopefully beating the big guys at their own game.
What would happen if you took this Dragon Boat lesson back into your business?
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