Top athletes are generally considered to be very performance-orientated - as are managers. So why not put managers from the production area of the Thyssenkrupp Bilstein plant in Mandern in a rowing boat for coaching? Especially when it comes to driving the company's internal change process forward?
Top athlete accompanies workshop
Before everyone found themselves in the same boat, one of Germany's most successful athletes was on the programme as a keynote speaker: Richard Schmidt, who rowed in the German eight at the Olympic Games in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2021. He got the participants in the mood for the two-day workshop, which was set to present a number of challenges. These included clarifying questions such as: Maintaining balance in a team in competitive situations, what does it take? Or: How do you really believe in your goals? Richard talked about his own experiences. For example, how you can free yourself from a deadlocked situation and become visible to others, including the competition.
Staying in rhythm as a team
Afterwards, we went on the ergometer to learn the most important rowing basics. But also as a transfer to everyday working life, where you often have to give your all when you are actually exhausted. When everyone tried to push the boat forwards, it was also meant figuratively: the aim is to reach the goal together. This works if the team manages to look confidently in one direction and stay in rhythm. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank coach Benedikt Schwarz and the Treviris 1921 e.V. Trier rowing club. Benedikt was not only on hand to advise the team on the ergometer. He was also involved on the water as a stroke man.
At least as remarkable: what the managers achieved in these two days - namely their very own, magnificent Olympic cycle! In other words, to first find themselves, then to become increasingly courageous in the process and finally to develop their own ideas and solutions.