Selection Day

Either one of the best, or worst, days of an athlete's life.

Either you're in or out (or in between if you're a reserve).

For me as the coach I either gave reason to celebrate or reason for misery.

If I look back at my (mediocre) playing days I was very quick to challenge a selection result that didn't go my way, but it was never at a world level. I pushed back at the decision - hard. Some athletes have done the same when they've got the bad news from me.

Many athletes with Olympic aspiration have received the news, in public or private, over the past week. How those athletes process it, and then how they respond, will amount to a very personal choice.

Receiving bad news in the workspace is a fact of life. How you respond to it is a choice.

Giving bad news in the workplace is also a fact of life. How you give it is also a choice.

One is about #Resilience and one is about #Empathy.

What someone says, and what someone hears, may be very different.

If you receive it:

• What story can you tell yourself about the event? It's only part of your story, not the whole story.
• It's ok to feel bad, sit with it for a while, let the emotions percolate.
• It's not helpful to act out or lash out.

If you give it:

• It's not about how you feel.
• Rather over-communicate than leave the disappointed person with unanswered questions.
• It's not your job to rescue them from their disappointment.

The #HighPerformance space comes with highs and lows. In the intensity of the moment they may seem higher and lower than they really are. Give time for context and perspective.

Players don't pick themselves. They want to be picked and they work to be picked, but they don't make the final call. Don't judge an athlete for making a team, it wasn't their decision.

Strong cultures will be able to support the athletes who miss out on a place, and there may even be small consolation in the power of strength in depth to ensure ultimate success in competition. The community of the squad.

Team selection is such a difficult thing to be a part of because it's so important. Goals are meant to be lofty, and it will hurt if they are not achieved.

Wishing every athlete, on both sides of the decision, well.

2b Limitless