The Master comes when the student is ready to learn
"The Master will come when the student is ready to learn …" I read this quote after my competitive rowing career was over. Perhaps I had not realized that I had seen when I was rowing anyway. Looking back in my days as an elite athlete, I think of how different I have approached many situations. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. With experience and knowledge we can make better choices in how we behave. Of the things I would change, none of them relate to how I applied in terms of effort I put in. I can look in the mirror and honestly say, "I gave it everything I had to give." Preparing for an Olympics demands nothing less.
What I the change is how I interacted with my crewmates. I have considered myself a team player and effective leader. There were still occasions, however, when I tried to "play and lead" effectively. There were times I struggled to communicate, understand and effectively combine with my crewmates. Looking I said back, had a personality clash with some of them. I thought it was "correct" meaning it could only be "evil." My perspective is different to theirs.
When I started studying DISC behavioral profiles, I began to see where I was making some critical mistakes. These errors were in terms of how I communicated with my teammates, tried to motivate and generally established relationships of trust with them or not. It really made me think that "my way", that is, my style of behavior, if not the best way, was certainly very close to it. At that time, I did not appreciate how different all us. It is this difference that all needed to understand how to change our behaviors in order to obtain a better team result. It is not the best person the computer. This is the best person for the team. This is a massive change in thinking.
In the 2000 season, we were training up to 16 times a week and spending more than 45 hours spent in some way to our Olympic preparation. For most of the season, we feel a great pressure to succeed in the Olympics in our home. It was a single gold medal, any other result would be devastating. When in times of stress such as this, understand the styles and unique needs of your team members becomes critical. Not understanding your team adds to the stress on the environment. Achieving high performance may become impossible. I did not realize much of what I and my fellow crew did in our styles of behavior, coupled with enormous pressure. For example, why rowing was primarily to win. Was motivated solely by the result. I am a big "D". This means, the task orientation and pace fast. Two of the crew, were high on my computer I / S ". His motivation was based on "relationship." Of course I wanted to win, it's just that the relationship was a primary motivator. Being a "S" means they were also slower pace than I am. This combination of different styles created a conflict. As the speed of decision making, time management, sensitivity to feedback and the list goes on.
There were actually times when I thought the way my fellow crew behaved was specifically to frustrate me. This of course was never the intention. Now I know. But when in a stressful situation, when I missed the fundamental knowledge of my team, so you can see how things can be misinterpreted.
When I studied DISC, I realized there were some very obvious potential shocks in the different profiles. As a team, you only need knowledge and understanding in order to dissolve all these issues. The teacher finally had become for me. I also realized what frustrated me in my crew members, were all things I personally had no or unconsciously wanted to be more like me. Things such as, attention to detail precise boat to creation. In addition, a freer spirit approach to living each moment at a time rather than thinking about the future results and enjoy the company of great people around me. Me I lost a large part of the trip in 2000. When I rowed in the Olympic Games in 2004 and won another bronze medal, I really appreciate what he was doing. Would win and also enjoyed the process. I liked the people who were rowing and enjoyed being in the crew. In short, I did not change who I was, I just changed I did and gave me the best results. That's the power of this lesson. In order to change what you do is only a challenge of behavior that every athlete should be able to understand.
Today, I have developed in all these areas, and I've spent a lot of time and invest money in the knowledge of myself and others. As we age aspire to be well rounded people to become more self-conscious of our core values, strengths and limiting behaviors. This is a journey and, as all other trips that requires commitment and courage to look at yourself and admit that there are areas for improvement, then do something about it. We are all one leader in some way. Few things are more inspiring to see athletes better themselves.
The Master will come when the student is ready to learn …
Boden Hanson is a four time Olympic athlete and triple Olympic medalist. It is one of Australia's most dynamic speakers on sport and performance business. Athlete evaluations founded to help coaches and athletes to improve their performance through a better understanding of themselves and others. He can be contacted by href = "http://www.athleteassessments.com/" http://www.athleteassessments.com> or bo.hanson @ Athleteassessments.com
