Last weekend, I visited the World Short Track Championships at Ahoy in Rotterdam, invited by the KNSB (Dutch Skating Federation). I was there at the right moment and on the best day, the day of many finals. The event was much more than just short track; it was an all-around experience. All senses were stimulated. There were surprising light effects, music (both DJ and live), and even sound effects… I couldn’t take it all in.
I came for the skating, especially for the World Short Track Championships, hoping that the Dutch participants would do well. And they did! The Dutch men’s team won gold! Truly, the roof blew off Ahoy.
Just before that, the women’s team’s dream had shattered when Jorien ter Mors fell. Additionally, Suzanne Schulting won bronze in the 1000 meters, and Sjinkie Knegt won gold in the 500 meters.
This beautiful event in our own country was a great dress rehearsal for the Olympics.
Jeroen Otter, a former short track skater himself, has been the coach and leader of this short track team for quite some time. In the post-event interview, he aptly said, “Success and failure are close together.”
He had to quickly set aside the disappointment over the women’s final because the men were about to take the ice for their medal competition.
He said, “My energy was completely gone, but it would be unfair to stand with a dull face with the men. I can’t do that because they might never race in this setting again.”
That is leadership, that is gold. Jeroen Otter said, “We always go for gold.” This requires adaptability as the team’s leader, time and time again.
What can we learn from this coach about leadership?
What is important in guiding his athletes to the highest podium?
Go for GOLD, always keep the goals in mind
Both the leader and all team members must have a clear goal in mind and know how everyone contributes to it. This sounds logical and obvious. It requires adaptability from the team’s leader. Think of the men’s final that followed the disappointment of the women’s team.
Manage your state of mind and focus
As a leader, you must be present at the right moment: during successes and disappointments. This requires situational adaptation and switching to a state of mind that a team member or the team needs.
Look at Jeroen Otter’s switch after the disappointing women’s race. This also applies to the team members, the athletes who need to perform. For example, an account manager must manage their state of mind at every appointment.
Be flexible: adapt quickly to circumstances
As a specialist in your field, you must quickly adapt to circumstances. For the short track skaters, this largely means adapting to the ice. Sjinkie Knegt said, “I am actually a glider, but I am in such good shape right now that I am even good on work ice.”
Be accountable, recover quickly
Sjinkie Knegt did not achieve the individual performance he wanted and was understandably disappointed. However, he still had a team goal: winning gold. That makes him accountable, meaning he had to get over his own disappointment at that moment.
Also, during the relay (the team race), they must quickly switch and recover. Training for “fast recovery scenarios” is essential for teams.
The power of habit
What works, works. Sjinkie Knegt and his teammate Daan Breeuwsma are good training partners and roommates. Together, they have their habits, rituals, and disciplines that work.
Celebrate your successes and be proud of them
“I immediately went for first place. In retrospect, I think I did pretty well,” said Sjinkie Knegt.
The team’s leader must also ensure that successes and highlights are celebrated to the fullest.
In the business world, this is even more important, as it is easier to forget this.
Surround yourself with inspiring people
Who stimulates you? Who contributes to your success? Who makes you believe in yourself? Surround yourself with people who inspire you and your leadership.
Make your team members aware that it helps them if they do the same, making them feel supported (professionally and personally) and able to stay focused.
“Initially, my parents who brought me to Thialf four or five times a week,” said Sjinkie Knegt about who inspires him, but he also mentioned his coach: “…for the past four years, that has been Jeroen Otter. He made me believe in my abilities. I am super grateful to him for that.”
Want to know more about how your leadership can contribute to your team’s results? Read my book: “My best team ever! In 7 steps to Golden Leadership” available from May 2017.
