Jon Gordon and P.J. Fleck’s Row the Boat is a powerful blend of personal resilience and team-driven leadership, built around a philosophy of relentless optimism and purposeful action.

In Row the Boat, Fleck—head football coach at the University of Minnesota—shares the origin and meaning of his signature mantra, developed after the tragic loss of his infant son. The metaphor centers on three parts: the oar (your energy and effort), the boat (your support system and sacrifice), and the compass (your direction and purpose). Co-authored with Jon Gordon, the book expands this philosophy into a practical framework for overcoming adversity, building culture, and leading with heart. Through vivid stories from Fleck’s coaching career and personal life, readers learn how to stay focused on what they can control, embrace struggle as growth, and inspire others to keep rowing—no matter the waves.