{"id":1468,"date":"2017-05-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-18T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leadersinsport.com\/performance-institute\/reports\/performance-journal-edition-13\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T05:12:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T05:12:45","slug":"performance-journal-edition-13","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/leadersinsport.com\/performance-institute\/articles\/performance-journal-edition-13\/","title":{"rendered":"Performance Journal: Edition 13"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n\t
\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t
\n \n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n May 18, 2017 <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>Articles<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Performance Journal: Edition 13<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n \n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
Category<\/div>\n Coaching & Development<\/a>, Human Performance<\/a>, Leadership & Culture<\/a>, Performance Journal<\/a> <\/div>\n
\n
Share<\/div>\n Facebook<\/a>\n Twitter<\/a>\n Email<\/a>\n Copy Link<\/a>\n
https:\/\/leadersinsport.com\/performance-institute\/articles\/performance-journal-edition-13\/<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Jimmy Spithill on what it takes to defend the America\u2019s Cup.<\/p>\n \n \n \n

\n

Some people respond to direct instruction better than others. Some prefer learning through theory and accumulation of fact; others prefer interaction, trial and error. What the perfect learning environment looks like is different depending on the eyes that are viewing it. Storytelling, however, resonates with everyone. We just can\u2019t help it; our human condition is such that we respond to the peaks and troughs, the mystery, narrative and revelation of a good yarn. It\u2019s how we communicate, empathise and understand.<\/h4>\n
\n

Clearly, storytelling can be a powerful tool in a coaching environment. Much of the discussion at the latest P8 gathering of elite performance practitioners was devoted to the use of symbolism in coaching. A choice metaphor, spun with skill, can act as a canvas on which any number of people can project their own meaning; their own personal connection. Once a particular symbol has chimed with a group of athletes, a powerful and lasting emotional connection can be teased out. Harnessing that emotion behind a common goal or action is the next step, but if done well, that symbol can be returned to again and again throughout a sporting campaign.<\/p>\n

And talking of stories, there can\u2019t be many other subject areas more evocative than the sea; with the spirit of discovery and adventure, the melding of peril and opportunity, and a primal urge to conquer nature all inherent in it. Sailing is a sport that\u2019s laden with symbolism, and the sea is its field of play. Our cover story in this edition of Performance sees us go inside the preparations of the biggest team in the biggest competition in the world of professional sailing: the America\u2019s Cup, where the hundred million dollar budgets, the aerodynamics and technology and the sheer speed sound more like a Formula One story than your traditional tale of seafaring.<\/p>\n

Jimmy Spithill will skipper the defending Oracle Team USA when the boats hit the waters of Bermuda for the America\u2019s Cup itself in June and, as you\u2019ll see from his exclusive interview with Performance, his team\u2019s preparations have been as thorough and as sophisticated as any you\u2019re likely to come across in high performance.<\/p>\n

There should be a story or two in there that will resonate.<\/p>\n

James Emmett, Editorial Director.<\/p>\n