When I talk about this in my immediate vicinity, people look at me with a big question mark. Or wonder if this ambitious racing sailor is really looking at things from a subjective point of view. Perhaps, but there are also rational reasons and practical experiences that support this statement.
Racing sailors have a clear and concrete goal. Winning against other boats.
Unlike walking 100 meters, there are many variables that play a role. The material, the trim options, the physical ability, the water and weather conditions and the team spirit.
First of all, a boat must sail faster than others in all conditions. If you also sail in the right direction, you win the race. Together, you will bring the boat in great condition, paying attention to the smallest details. Before the start, depending on the wind direction, location of the track and starting line, you make a plan. Everyone then knows in advance where they stand.
Everyone has their own task on board, can watch and participate in decision-making, but first of all, perform their own task perfectly.
Unless there is an extreme change in conditions just before the start, the skipper must stick to his plan. It is better to execute the wrong plan properly than to execute a better plan badly.
Because you don't know what to expect beforehand (because there are also competitors trying to get in your way), there's no point in being a perfectionist control freak. Your strength must be to be ready for anything and to be able to act quickly. This requires knowledge and experience, but also a flexible approach. If something goes wrong within a team, there may be some swearing, but everyone will solve the problem immediately. So don't see who caused the problem first. This will be addressed in the evaluation later on shore.
So sailors leave nothing to chance, but chance is part of this sport.
Top sailors have at least the following characteristics: Driven, fit, perfectionist where necessary, focused on their own task, team player, style flexibility, ability to improvise, acceptance that sometimes “it is what it is”. And perhaps the most important feature: humour and the ability to put things into perspective.
I have been involved in several top sailing campaigns. I always received confirmation that if you have to hire someone who is good at his job, but is also a competitive sailor, they will often be preferred because of the above qualities.
Let's hope that the NL sailors will let us enjoy the upcoming Olympics in Marseille again. After all, we are currently the best top sailing country in the world.
If these sailors stop afterwards, my advice is: “Keep an eye on them”.
But then you are not there yet.. Because no matter what managerial challenge they embark on, it is always important to have someone close by who does not have their own agenda, but has experienced everything themselves once.
At De Bestuurskamer, we guide people “on boarding” to get off to a flying start. Of course, this does not only apply to (ex) sailors.
⛵️
Jan Berent Heukensfeldt Jansen
