The Winter Olympics were fantastic entertainment – how thrilling to see athletes risk their lives and perform spectacular feats of skill and daring, all from the comfort of your living room. I discovered the joys of Ski Cross, was in awe of the half-pipe (yes, Craig and Ben …) and was on the very edge of my seat for the ice hockey men’s finals.
I know nothing about ice hockey but that didn’t seem to matter; as a spectator sport it’s perfect. Fast, skilful and very, very aggressive. Attack is the best form of defence. Slam into you opponent before he slams into you. Then slam into him again. Breaking sticks, helmets, goalposts, plexiglass, even parts of the body – all were entirely par for the course.
So what’s my point, other than proving I like a bit of blood sport now and then? I was very taken with how tactical the sport is.
Tactic is defined as the ‘means to a goal’ (a literal one, in this case), a method used or a course of action followed in order to achieve an immediate or short-term aim.
Being tactical isn’t about being an automaton, blindly doing the same thing over and over. It’s about having an aim in mind, employing a variety of very focused means to achieve it and changing between them as circumstances demand.
These hockey players were incredibly flexible – if this doesn’t work, do that. Then try something else. They were spotting opportunities at lightening speed, and responding to them. They were relentless, wouldn’t give up, and utterly fearless too. You’d see players crashing to the ice and they’d be up in a second and back into the fray.
I think that with so much focus on strategy, communication can become a bit bogged down. Though it’s good to have ambitions, the big picture can be pretty challenging. So focus on short-term goals, make sure you have the people and skills you need, and go for it. Be certain, direct, and fearless. And don’t stop til the final whistle.
03 March 2010
Being nice is for wimps
The Winter Olympics were fantastic entertainment – how thrilling to see athletes risk their lives and perform spectacular feats of skill and daring, all from the comfort of your living room. I discovered the joys of Ski Cross, was in awe of the half-pipe (yes, Craig and Ben …) and was on the very edge of my seat for the ice hockey men’s finals.
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