Team development with an America’s Cup sailing squad

When it comes to understanding the factors that shape success, their is much we can learn from elite athletes. Goal clarity, self insight and commitment are just some of the ingredients to winning in a competitive environment.

Silvermaple

Sarah’s reflections

As a group of talented and competitive individuals with a clear goal, the team had multiple factors to contend with. We used a strengths-based approach to help them understand themselves better, build stronger relationships and have more powerful conversations in order to enhance their preparation and journey towards success.

As the season drew to a close we also supported the team to extract their learning. In the world of international yacht racing, every piece of data can provide useful learning. It is the skilled application of that learning by the team that makes the difference between winning and losing.

Sarah Law

What they needed

To compete in the America’s Cup, teams need the fastest and most technologically advanced boat and to be at the top of their game. This requires a true partnership between design and sailing teams, innovation and a willingness to stretch beyond what seems possible. Team work, organisational performance and agility are all areas where the team compete and where improvement must be continuous. Silvermaple have been providing the sailing teams with strengths based team development out in Bermuda at the team’s HQ.

What we did

The focus on strengths is not new to the Olympians in the team and provides significant insight and focus about how the team can up its game both on and off the water. It also provided a greater sense of the differences that exist within the team and how they could be harnessed to best effect. At the time of writing, the America’s Cup is weeks away and the team will be looking to see how their hard work translates into winning ways on the water.

Given the competitive nature of these events we are unable to provide further detail at the moment but watch this space for more insights as the season draws to a close.