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learn from the best - federer & nadal...
“It is not
just the exquisite contrast in styles and temperaments
and the special talent that, in their unique ways,
they share. It is not just that they have elevated
each other's games to levels that leave us shaking our
heads in disbelief instead of merely clapping. It is
not even that they have produced two successive
five-set finals, first at Wimbledon last July and now
in Melbourne, so epic that Tolstoy could have written
novels about them.”
Two elite performers, what
can this possibly have to do with the world of work? There are a number of
elements that help us understand the nature of
performance, the fine margins that determine success and
also the difference between taking a transformational or
transactional approach to change.
At this level there is
virtually no difference in technical ability, although
over many years of watching tennis, Roger Federer is the
best natural talent I have seen. The
movement and athletic ability of Borg (who McEnroe
described as the finest athlete ever to grace a tennis
court) and the touch that is at least as good as
McEnroe, Nastase or Laver. Nadal
is also a phenomenal player and one of the finest
competitors ever, his physical and mental preparation
leaves little to chance, in play he rarely gives cheap
points away. Both men have
worked very hard to get where they are and continue this
effort, including exceptional attention to detail in
preparation for matches. During the 2009 Australian
Open Final Nadal constantly served and played to
Federer’s backhand. This
shot is not a weakness but just not the strength of the
forehand. In some ways this should have been an
advantage to Federer, knowing that over 90 per cent of
serves are coming to the backhand, but it seems to
trouble him. His forehand
is then not getting grooved and not the weapon it is
against other players.
Federer’s natural talent
means that he creates more break points than any other
player but the evidence is that against the very top
players and particularly Nadal, he fails to convert. At this level the difference
is not ability and Federer does appear slightly less
aggressive when he has breakpoints against the serve of
Nadal or Djokovic but does not lack this aggression when
he is defending breakpoints. Both Federer and Nadal have excellent, though different, technical "solutions" to the challenge of winning a Grand Slam tennis tournament, however, Jim Loehr observed some years ago that the difference between the very top players and those below them was not in technical ability but how they managed their energy (both physical and mental) between points. Players develop routines to tune out of the previous point and focus on the next point.
Federer and Nadal have
these routines, for example both take three balls before
serving and pass one back to the ball boy.
Both manage their energy well, they use this
routine to tune out of the last point and refocus on the
next, but Nadal has the edge.
His mental preparation involves visualisation down to
the last detail, from the walk out of the locker room,
on to the court and even spending time on the court
before the match to get a visual feel for the court and
its surroundings.
Nadal also uses his
routines to ensure that the game is played at his
(usually slow) pace. He is also
very deliberate about his movement between
points. While our physiology often betrays our
psychology - our body language - it can aslo work the
other way, that is we can alter our psychology from
our physiology. While Federer struggles
to break serve when in the clinch of a tight match
against his main rivals, it’s also at that point that
Nadal has the advantage. In
later stages of the final set in the 2008 Wimbledon
final and at times in the 2009 Australian Open final
Federer’s routines between points on his own serve were
unusually rushed, a minute difference but enough to be a
factor in not managing his energy as effectively as his
opponent.
While Federer is an expert
in playing in the state of acceptance
– or as Gallwey calls it – non-judgment. He accepts
negative or disturbing events and his own mistakes and
limitations as a part of the game and a part of himself.
He doesn't appear to judge them and feel bad about them,
enabling him to maintain the state of flow, or being in
the zone. However, against Nadal, there seem to be
points when in the clinch where he struggles to stay in
the here and now.
Managing the energy of
teams involve in change initiatives will enable them to
stay in the present, focus on what needs to be done and
result in higher levels of engagement.
Too many people under pressure work continuously,
without taking time to reflect on where they are and
refocus on what needs to be done.
With top players their
whole day, week, month and year is devoted
to improving their game, whether that means working on
technique, tactics, physical or mental preparation. Most of them play tennis for
four or more hours a day, plus additional fitness and
other activities, depending on where in the training
process or tournament they are in. While their sport is
demanding it is less time than most of us spend at work
every day. We need to
reflect on what we’re doing, not just as part of a post
implementation review but on an ongoing basis – then we
can improve our own performance.
What is also extraordinary about elite athletes like Federer and Nadal is that under extreme pressure of playing in a grand slam final in front of thousands they continue to produce the most amazing tennis. There is little evidence of fear, uncertainty or doubt, while these often beset project teams under pressure. The top performers continually focus in on positive outcomes.
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