Systems Suck, People Don’t

Over all these years of high performance programs across the world you would think that they could have come up with a system that could guarantee success.

They haven’t.

Every 4 years in Olympic sports and even more in elite team sports they set their high performance strategy. They run it past the board and then they recruit the people to execute the plan.

High performance centres in strategic locations. Administrators and support staff with all the credentials. Benchmarks to achieve. Testing to execute. Reporting. All the ingedients.

Sounds like a recipe for success.

So why doesnt it work ? Why has it taken Australia 20 years to get a male world champion? Why do we see teams languishing on the bottom of the table for years on end?

They forgot the most important part ? Life and performance isn’t a formula.

It’s about people !!!!

Relationships, support, chemistry.. People…. the most important ingredient.

It’s not about lack of grass roots pathways. It’s not about lack of funding.

It’s about getting the right people in the right job and allowing them the freedom to create magic with the athletes. To inspire in them the will to succeed.

The coaching greats didn’y have the best system. They worked with and supported their athletes. They demonstrated belief in them when the athletes themselves couldn’t see it. They presented them with opportunities to grow as people.

Athletes don’t care what you know. They want to know that you care !

So next time you think a system is your answer, think again. It’s not about facilities, lactate, or even funding.

It’s about chemistry and people. Establishing mutual trust and developing passion.

That’s what gets the best out of you or your team.