Margherita Braga, HBA ’09, is part of Deloitte’s Human Capital Consulting group in Toronto—but in her spare time, she’s leading her rowing team as the “coxie” for their boat.
I started rowing when I was in HBA2 at Ivey, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I’ve always been a coxswain (or “coxie” for short). The coxie is responsible for steering the boat, instructing rowers in order to coordinate their power and rhythm, executing the race plan, and motivating the crew. There are many reasons why I’m a coxie. One reason is that I’m the right size; coxies are a crucial part of the boat, but don’t actually row. I’m tiny, with a big voice, while rowers tend to be six feet and twice my size.
The coxie’s role looks easy from the outside, but is quite complex and technical. Even a millimetre of movement in the steering can upset the balance of the boat. As the voice of the boat, and the eyes and ears of the crew, you call the shots and are responsible for conveying the right messages in order to choreograph a perfectly executed plan. I love that challenge.
As the boat’s leader, you have to be very strategic and in tune with your teammates. It’s not that different from my role in consulting. You have to be very careful in what you’re communicating, how you’re communicating it, and how you’re motivating others. That can involve getting really personal with people; knowing what their positive triggers are and when to hold back.
Coxies have to be open to feedback—from your coach and your athletes—and you have to bring everyone together. It’s a very serious role, but also a lot of fun; because of rowing, I’ve made lifelong friends and have gone on many international adventures.
Rowing and coxing have taught me a lot about myself and what I’m capable of. You need to step up to the plate, demonstrate confidence when faced with adversity, and stay calm but assertive during races. It also helped me to discover how to be my authentic self as a leader, how to pick up on the needs of the team, and how to be an effective communicator. I appreciate that it’s such a team sport, and I’ve enjoyed learning how effective teams operate. I love the competition and the sacrifice that comes with that. It’s a big commitment, but always worth it.
There’s a feeling of peace, focus, and power when you’re out on the water at 5 a.m., while the rest of the city is still asleep. It’s truly magical, and I just love it!
All Photos: Nation Wong
Art Direction: Greg Salmela, Aegis