“ As managers , we know that we should never take teamwork for granted .
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and sweep rowing . In sculling , each rower holds two oars , one in each hand , while in sweeping each rower holds one oar with both hands . It is a physically demanding sport , a true sufferfest ! One can practice it as an individual by sculling as the only occupant in a boat . But most races are in teams . Arguably the most famous rowing dual in the world is the annual Oxford- Cambridge boat race on the Thames in London . This is done in shells with eight rowers and a coxswain , called eights .
There are no world records in rowing due to the huge variability that weather
conditions can have on times . Instead , there are world best times over the international rowing distance of 2 000m . This is where it becomes interesting . The world best time for a single sculler was set by Robbie Manson of New Zealand in 2017 : 6 minutes and 30 seconds ( 6:30 ). The best time for an eights boat ? 5:18 , by the German team in 2017 . If we look at Olympic best times , the best for a single sculler is again a New Zealander , Mahe Drysdale at the Rio Olympics in 2016 : 6:41 . And for the eights ? 5:20 , by the US team in 2004 in Athens . Hence , we see that eight rowers working together go much faster than an individual can go . This is despite each rower only having one oar and having to drag a coxswain along that does not contribute to the rowing . Watching an eights crew working together in complete unison is an ultimate and awesome example of synergy in sport . It is called “ swing ” in rowing circles . It creates a fourth source of propulsion – when that rhythm comes , it is pure delight , despite the fatigue and the pain , appreciated by all oarsmen who have ever had the privilege of rowing in a swinging crew .
One of the fundamental qualities athletes learn from sports is teamwork , which mirrors the experiences found in typical job settings and serves as the bedrock of all successful businesses .
As managers , we know that we should never take teamwork for granted . We need to build that sense of unity and enthusiasm that a group of people shares for their common goal . That bonding motivates them to rely on one another to get
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