Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?: Olympic-Winning Strategies for Everyday Success - Second Edition by Ben Hunt-Davis & Harriet Beveridge Summary

1. Ben Hunt-Davis’s “Crazy Goal” framework turns underperforming teams into Olympic gold champions
2. “Will it make the boat go faster?” becomes your ultimate decision-making filter for business success
3. Build a performance-driven culture by eliminating every activity that doesn’t serve your core goal
4. Transform team alignment using the British rowing squad’s measurable milestone strategy for Olympic glory
5. Replace “good enough” with ruthless prioritization of speed-building habits and systems
6. Convert underdog status into competitive advantage through the Sydney 2000 gold medal mindset
7. Apply “bouncebackability” techniques to overcome setbacks while maintaining Olympic-level focus
8. Install bullshit filters to cut distractions and protect your organization’s velocity
9. Balance risk assessment by asking “What’s costlier – trying or not trying?”
10. Create unstoppable momentum through incremental gains tracked against five-minute mile benchmarks
11. Foster team ownership by making “making the boat go faster” everyone’s daily mantra
12. Transfer Olympic-winning strategies to business using Hunt-Davis’s proven four-step focus framework

About the Author of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Ben Hunt-Davis MBE, Olympic gold medalist and co-author of Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?, is a leading authority on high-performance teamwork and goal-driven leadership. His 2000 Sydney Olympics victory with the British men’s rowing eight—the first in 88 years—inspired the book’s core philosophy of prioritizing actionable results.

A sought-after keynote speaker, Hunt-Davis has delivered transformative talks in over 30 countries and co-founded the consultancy Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? Ltd, which applies Olympic-winning strategies to corporate leadership.

Harriet Beveridge, executive coach and TEDx speaker, blends neuroscience, comedy, and business acumen to help leaders thrive under pressure. Her MSc in psychology and mental health neuroscience informs the book’s practical frameworks for decision-making and resilience. Beveridge’s BBC Radio 4 appearances and corporate training programs amplify her reputation for turning complex theories into actionable steps.

Together, their bestselling book—endorsed by figures like Sebastian Coe and Dame Kelly Holmes—has become a modern classic in performance psychology, praised for its relatable storytelling and evidence-based techniques. The third edition adds fresh insights on navigating today’s fast-paced professional landscapes. Hunt-Davis also authored Stay Away from the Buttercups, chronicling his South Downs athletic journey.

FAQs About Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

What is Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? about?

Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? by Ben Hunt-Davis and Harriet Beveridge chronicles the British Olympic rowing team’s journey from underdogs to gold medalists at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. It distills their success into actionable strategies like obsessive goal-setting, teamwork, and eliminating distractions, framed around the central question: “Will this action contribute to our ultimate goal?” The book blends sports storytelling with practical frameworks for personal and professional growth.

Who should read Will It Make the Boat Go Faster??

This book is ideal for athletes, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking peak performance strategies. Its principles on goal decomposition, resilience, and team dynamics apply to anyone tackling ambitious projects or organizational challenges. Leaders managing high-stakes teams or individuals navigating career transitions will find its actionable advice particularly valuable.

What are the key concepts in Will It Make the Boat Go Faster??

Key concepts include:

• The Four-Layer Goal System: Split objectives into “crazy,” “concrete,” “control,” and “everyday” layers to bridge long-term vision with daily actions.
• The Core Mantra: Evaluate every decision by asking, “Will it make the boat go faster?” to maintain focus.
• Bouncebackability: Cultivating resilience after setbacks.
• Eating the Elephant: Breaking overwhelming tasks into manageable steps.

How does Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? help with goal-setting?

The book advocates dividing goals into four tiers:

1. Crazy Goal (long-term vision)
2. Concrete Goal (measurable milestones)
3. Control Layer (identifying influenceable factors)
4. Everyday Actions (daily habits). This system transforms abstract ambitions into executable steps, as demonstrated by the team’s Olympic preparation.

What is the “bullshit filter” in Will It Make the Boat Go Faster??

The “bullshit filter” refers to rigorously eliminating non-essential tasks or distractions that don’t align with core objectives. Inspired by the rowers’ strict focus on boat speed, it teaches readers to prioritize actions that directly advance their goals while discarding superficial efforts.

How does Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? approach teamwork?

The book emphasizes alignment through shared purpose, psychological safety, and role clarity. The Olympic crew’s success hinged on trusting each member’s expertise and committing to collective accountability. Teams are advised to establish non-negotiable rules and regularly review progress.

What are memorable quotes from Will It Make the Boat Go Faster??

• “It’s riskier not to take risks” (prioritizing bold action over complacency)
• “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time” (tackling large goals incrementally)
• “Get the crocodiles before they get you” (proactively addressing obstacles)

How does Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? compare to Atomic Habits?

While Atomic Habits focuses on micro-behaviors, Hunt-Davis’s book emphasizes macro-goal structuring within high-stakes environments. Both advocate incremental progress, but Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? adds a team-performance lens and crisis-management strategies absent in Clear’s work.

Can Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? help with career development?

Yes. The book’s frameworks help professionals identify skill gaps, align daily tasks with career aspirations, and navigate workplace challenges. Its emphasis on “control layers” teaches readers to focus energy on actionable areas rather than external factors.

What real-world examples does Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? use?

The authors analyze the 2000 British rowing team’s turnaround from seven years of losses to Olympic gold, detailing how they overhauled training, nutrition, and team communication. Business case studies show how companies applied these principles to improve productivity and innovation.

Is Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? worth reading?

Yes. Its blend of gripping sports narrative and practical tools makes it stand out in the self-help genre. Readers gain a replicable system for achieving audacious goals, whether in sports, business, or personal growth. The Olympic case study adds credibility rarely found in traditional business books.

How can I apply Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? to personal fitness goals?

Use the four-layer system:

1. Crazy Goal: Complete a marathon.
2. Concrete Goal: Run 3x weekly.
3. Control Layer: Track sleep and nutrition.
4. Everyday Actions: Daily stretching. Regularly ask, “Will this workout make my marathon training better?” to avoid irrelevant exercises.