For decades, I have led, grown, and invested in companies. Each opportunity gave me new perspectives that continually shaped my business outlook. However, rowing across the Atlantic was the experience that led to a permanent shift in my mindset and added a new dimension to my knowledge.
My outlook has always been positive, focused on moving forward, but this challenge reinforced my belief that “impossible is just a word”. While business and adventure are different, completing such a gruelling task taught me a great deal about my preparation, planning and endurance, which I have applied to scaling new businesses. Taking an idea from concept to a tangible product takes time, passion, and determination. While you may feel you understand your skills, knowing your capabilities and limits in stressful situations is another matter. Extreme challenges have developed a level of grit in me that aids my business career.
Be Prepared for the Known Unknowns
Next year, I aim to be the oldest person to row the Pacific Ocean. Deciding to take on such challenges is not done overnight – I have always enjoyed keeping active, but this race was an opportunity to push my limits. Throughout my career, from MD of Porsche GB to founding 16 businesses in various sectors, I have been inspired by learning from extraordinary people and challenging situations.
Embarking on the Atlantic rowing challenge required me to acquire new skills—sea survival, navigation, emergency first aid, boat maintenance, and management. The physical demands of an ocean row are predictable: 24-hour shifts of 2 hours on, 2 hours off, with rapid wear and tear on the body. But the mental challenges—long hours in isolation, battling fatigue, and maintaining focus—are even greater. This mental toughness is directly transferable to business. Entrepreneurs face long hours, setbacks, and stress, and staying focused and motivated through tough times is crucial for success.
Running a business involves significant risk. Founders and CEOs must navigate these risks, sometimes painfully, amidst commercial storms. Success requires dedication, persistence, and a relentless work ethic. The Atlantic Ocean’s volatility parallels the business world, where adaptability to change is crucial. Company leaders must anticipate or respond to market shifts and consumer behaviour changes, much like rowers adapting to changing weather and currents.
Risk management is a key leadership skill. Learning to deal effectively with known, unknown, and unexpected challenges is essential for growing a strong business. Challenges provide opportunities; taking risks and exploring the unknown can accelerate success. During our Atlantic row, we chose to row through incoming storms, our ability to handle them improved each time and resulted in us rowing fewer miles than any other boat. In business, tough times happen, and leaders must face them head-on, using challenges to drive progress and improvement.
Don’t Just Prize Profit
Building a business is a journey. The end goal must be an extraordinary operation valued by customers. But there’s no real end; once you achieve a milestone, you set new goals. Remember, profit is the score, not the game. Successful organisations have blended goals that deliver exceptional client service beyond profit.
On our boat, every system had to work effectively for us to achieve our goal. Navigation, communication, water desalination, solar power, rowing equipment, and crew health were continuously monitored and improved. In business, entrepreneurs must focus on the journey, monitoring and improving each component: branding, logistics, finance, sustainability. Short-term failures are part of the journey, providing opportunities to learn and innovate.
Cultivate a Culture of Winning
Rowing across an ocean is no solo feat. Our crew of five had complementary skills, with each member taking on specific responsibilities. This blend of skills and a shared objective of breaking the world record forged a strong team.
Cultivating a winning culture means attracting and blending different talents. Early-stage businesses often struggle to find or afford the skills they need. I’ve always believed in “hiring for attitude, training for skill.” Entrepreneurs need an adaptable core team that can flex roles and responsibilities as the business grows. Honesty, clarity, and a shared vision of success are crucial. A winning team sets realistic performance standards reinforced by shared values. Communication is key, but as the saying goes, “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” On a rowing boat, the crew’s support for each other is the key determinant of success. Similarly, in business, a supportive culture drives progress and engages the team.
Get a Life
Expeditions take me away from the constant demands of a busy life, allowing me to return to business refreshed. Rowing the Atlantic required peak physical and mental fitness. Similarly, in business, prioritising health and wellbeing is crucial. Burnout and stress undermine performance and decision-making. Establishing a routine that considers your and your family’s life is imperative, but it’s often difficult to know when to switch off.
Talk to the Experts
Rowing an ocean or running a business can be lonely. Entrepreneurs often feel overwhelmed. I experienced imposter syndrome for many years in my early businesses. Joining a regional club for CEOs helped me realise I wasn’t alone in my worries. Surrounding yourself with experienced mentors is a huge advantage. I wouldn’t take on a challenge like rowing an ocean without consulting experts, and the same applies to building a business. Engaging with industry events, entrepreneur groups, and showing passion for what you do attracts helpful attention and support.
Conclusion
Rowing across the Atlantic taught me qualities essential for business success: clear goal setting, teamwork, adaptability, mental toughness, a strong work ethic, learning from failure, risk management, a positive attitude, stamina, celebrating milestones, leveraging support, prioritising wellbeing, and staying motivated by the big picture. These lessons from demanding situations help me navigate the turbulent waters of the business world and support my team to reach our goals with determination and resilience.
About Kevin Gaskell, Entrepreneur, Chairman, Investor
Recognised as ‘the man who fixes businesses’ Kevin Gaskell has a track record in building and leading companies. As CEO of Porsche, Lamborghini, and BMW, Kevin led hugely successful turnarounds and business growth. Today he remains actively in numerous companies, as both an investor and founder. He was identified as one of the UK’s Top 40 leaders reflecting his exceptional ability to inspire teams, transform companies and achieve extraordinary results.
He has climbed the world’s highest mountains and walked to the north and south poles. His most recent book, Catching Giants, translating the experience of his world record row into lessons for business, was shortlisted for Business Book of the Year 2023.
