“It’s not just about rowing harder. It’s about rowing together.”— The Boys in the Boat

I recently watched The Boys in the Boat, and I couldn’t help but see the parallels to nonprofit leadership.

The story of the 1936 U.S. Olympic rowing team, made up of underdogs and working-class young men, isn’t just about sport. It’s about purpose, perseverance, and what happens when ordinary people unite for something bigger than themselves.

A few leadership lessons stood out:

1. Unity > Talent

These rowers didn’t win because they were the strongest. They won because they trusted each other completely. In the nonprofit world, where resources are often tight, trust and alignment are our greatest assets.

2. Find your ‘swing’

In rowing, swing is that almost magical moment when the whole boat moves as one. Great mission-driven teams find their swing when everyone rows in sync, not for personal glory, but for the shared impact.

3. Adversity can bond, not break

The crew’s backgrounds were full of hardship. But their challenges became their strength. In the nonprofit space, we often face overwhelming needs. Yet it’s in the press of that work that deep resilience and unity are formed.

4. Lead from belief, not control

Coach Al Ulbrickson didn’t shout. He guided with conviction, strategy, and trust. That kind of quiet, purpose-driven leadership is powerful, and essential in our sector.

If you’re part of a nonprofit or social impact team, I highly recommend this film. It will remind you: we don’t have to be perfect, we just have to row together.