Learning from Olympic Trainers

 

Like many people, I’ve been gripped by Olympic fever this week and am totalenthralled by the dedication and skill of everyone taking part.

I was fascinated on this morning (Sunday 5^th Aug) by an interview with Paul Thompson, the Chief Coach of Team GB Women’s Rowing Squad.  In response to a question about how he had achieved such amazing success he said “every day we learn and we grow”.

It was so pleasing to hear ‘learning’ being put at the heart of the achievement.  The idea of the ‘learning organisation’ has gone out of fashion in recent years, but it strikes me that Team GB is the perfect example of why we should be waving the flag for learning within all our organisations.

As individual trainers we all have our part to play in helping our employers or clients to become world class learning organisations.  And it doesn’t matter if we are full-time L&D professionals, or just people who run the occasional bit of training.

Learning from the role of the Team GB coaches, I believe we can all:

• Understand the overall aims and aspirations of our organisation and make sure we are developing the skills and attitudes that will bring about achievement
• Recognise that the smallest of changes can make a big difference
• Realise that standing still is not an option – others will always want to overtake us
• Learn from the best in the world and always stay up to date
• Use the very latest technology to its best effect
• Always be asking the question “what have I learned today?”
• Observe and coach as often as we can
• Innovate and try new ways of doing things

And, above all else, just like London 2012 – inspire a generation!!

 

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