The Power and Benefit of Being Part of a Squad
In the sailing community, the words “squad” and “team” have been used for decades. In many cases, these words and actions have represented exceptional energy, collaboration, and American performance successes, such as in the FD class, the Finn class, the 505 Class, the 49er class, the i420 class, and the Laser class. International examples abound as well, including the AUS 470 and Laser programs, NZL Lasers, DEN 49er, FX, Radial, and ITA Nacra squads.
Despite these successes, squad participation can be questioned at times, and is sometimes even treated like a strategic decision. This discussion clarifies the power and benefits of the squad way of life.
Webster’s definition: squad: “a small group engaged in a common effort or occupation”.
Notable words are “engaged” and “common effort”. Squad mentality gathers people with common interests, who collectively build something together. If there are ever two worlds that belong together, it is “Sailing” and “Squad”.
The sailing community is historically built on the passing on of knowledge. As young novices we were watched, instructed, taught, mentored, encouraged, celebrated, and transformed into accomplished sailors. It became our passion, our enjoyment, our goal, our addiction, and our love.
Somewhere along the way, sailing became more than just a sport for us - it became a major part of lives. And part of that “life” was an unwritten duty to pass along the same code of encouragement and experience to those learning behind us. It is very rewarding to speak and teach enthusiastically to others about our niche sport, and is happening every day, everywhere, at every club in the world. Part of the allure is that sailing is such a complex and intriguing sport, and is filled with new discoveries every day!
Putting sailing aside for a minute, it is interesting to recognize what drives rewarding “life”. A golden retriever and litter of puppies, our parents and brother/sisters – these are relationships that share experience, make mistakes together, learn how to swim, learn how to eat, survive, and thrive. It is motivating, frustrating, encouraging, and educational. It is transitional as we gain perspective and skills, comical when we make dumb mistakes, and as we grow, we are thankful for the environment that was gifted to us.
When we focus back on a sailing squad, we should be quick to realize the same cause and effect are in play. Some are experienced, some are a few skill-sets behind, but we are all learning together, and we all respect the duty and the code.
We all want to learn, and it’s important to recognize how REAL learning works – “teaching” and “sharing” are the fuel for us all. If we ever think we have all the answers, then we become stagnant, and begin to spin our wheels in the race to evolve. “I look forward to discovering something I don’t know or realizing how or why I was wrong in the past”. Those that can make that statement show growth and progression, which will light up the runway for the next path of learning.
While most of us agree with the positives of squad participation, there can be a side of us that perceive challenges of the communal world. Here are a few:
Time: Some view participation in a squad community as threatening to their time, efficiency and focus. These sailors are underestimating how impactful 5-10 minutes of positive help can be – it can save our teammate 1-2 days of frustration; but there is also a positive personal gain of “giving”. Good vibes and motivation are contagious and internally breed optimism. You draw personal pride, are pumped, and refocused on your next priority with vigor. Time isn’t only judged by the minutes of the hour – time is judged by positive efficiency. The better we feel, the more efficiently we perform, which feeds our ability to perform at a higher level.
Talent imbalance is a concern to some when considering the squad dynamic. The key here is for everyone to respect their place, value, and contribution to the effort. Our Golden Retriever mother has a watchful eye on her 11 puppies, and provides essentials, but is quick to draw the line when the pups get unruly, feisty, or overwhelming – she pushes them away and lets them know she needs a break. The squad is the same – I carefully eavesdropped on Dave Ullman and Steve Benjamin in the parking lot when I was a pup and was lucky to line up with Dave one afternoon, proving to be a momentary worthy tuning partner. But I still knew I wasn’t his top choice the following week – I had a lot to learn, grow, and develop before I got my chance for that upgraded status. BUT – I had my foot in the door and looked for the next opportunity to interact.
But don’t think it’s all about the top talent. Squad success is built on the efficiency of the overall machine. Squads depend on the talent spread and numbers as a whole but must insist that the “pups” respect the level at which membership is granted. If your vang line breaks, you are out. If you are late off the dock, you have no place in the squad. If you lag in tuning line-ups or disrupt the expedient pace of the practice, you’re out. It’s not about eliminating people, it’s about a devotion to the level at which the squad works. Why did Ullman line up with us that day? Because we showed that we understood and executed all of the examples above.
What if I feel like my level is too far below the average level of the squad? Well, you’ve got work to do. Coyly ask questions with a cold beer (or Gatorade) on a windless day in the boatpark. Offer a charged drill in a moment of need. Perhaps ask a moderately skilled level squad member how they conquered some of the early challenges. Sailors with skills love to hear compliments and will surely enjoy boasting and sharing their paths to achievement. It’s that feel good sharing that motivates us all.
What if I’m top dog – am I not entitled to working with only the best? Think about that – if that’s your bar then you just eliminated 90% of the playing field. You’ll also have less control on the daily plan and execution, as you’ll most likely be working with other alpha sailors and coaches. You certainly want to create elite opportunities, but it can’t be your entire campaign formula. To beat the best, you must outsail them, and specifically focus on the next steps for YOUR campaign. You need a comfortable cooperative environment, armed with your personal goals, and psyched to improve within.
Squad life requires a perceptive mindset, as well as daily planning and expectations. An overly competitive nature can be a demon in a training environment, which can indicate that you need better alignment with internal goals and focus points. In any sport, if we only focus on the outcome of a competition or drill, our chances of holding pace with real goal setters is slim. Here’s a very strong warning: if you are young and talented, and over-emphasize winning over goal setting, you’re not going to make it to the top in the Olympic World.
Personalities can be another bogey in the squad environment. We all have personalities, and are naturally drawn to some, while being challenged by others. But clearly in the Olympic World, we must learn to co-exist and learn with all personalities around us. Focus within.
It must be said that when you combine an overly competitive nature, with an excitable aversion to certain personalities, you have two of the most lethal blockers to learning. Food for thought…
Let’s talk about perception.
Webster’s: “The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.”
The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.
In the Olympic world, perception is the truth and the devil. We are competing for the ultimate goal, and are tempted by stories of “secret weapons,” “special sleds,” “new constructions/materials” etc. Yes there have been some technological marvels, but over the 9 Olympic Sailing regattas I have witnessed, the number of “secret weapon medals” have been a very low percentage. That’s not to start a debate, but to emphasize that learning, technique, experience, and performing under pressure are the most valuable commodities in a campaign. Some competitors may flaunt a secret sauce, but the real power of that could be delivering a distraction to you.
Of the 5 medals I’ve coached, the common traits were simplicity and focusing on the basics. I bring this up, because many search outside the squad mentality for the elusive stone unturned. When this happens, the “unknown perception” can be a detriment to the most powerful known success – open and collaborative learning.
The simplest formula for stating how to win medals is: Focus, Learn, Interact. That formula draws you and your support structure to the components needed to improve. Then it’s the tried and true Olympic formula: Work, Dedication, Devotion, Heart, Determination, Happiness. These are all hallmarks of what’s available using the squad mentality and community.
Coaching – What role does the coach play in the squad mentality world? My mentor taught me: “the sailors are the talent, the coaches are the bankable feedback who facilitate squad interaction”. Coaches help sailors organize perception, thoughts, and interaction, into streamlined conclusions or questions for tomorrow.
A coach can also provide a level of experience to the group: deviating slightly from facilitation and feedback, to “this is a moment when you should listen to my experience”. A seasoned coach incorporates both collaborative and experienced styles, which keeps the efficiency and goal of the squad in focus for the group.
As valuable as coaches and leadership are to a squad, realize that TRUE successful squad mentality comes from the connection between athletes. You are the ones sensing, performing, cooperating, and delivering a concert of learning.
Is there a membership?
If you are asking “who’s in the squad, and who isn’t?”, you may not be getting the point – winners have squad mentality. The “membership” of a squad is demonstrated by action and human nature. Those that see the benefit of learning, collaborating, and doing; are squad members for life. They are loyal to the code of sport, the community of sailing, and being part of a positive group environment. That positive, hungry dynamic, from a confident and focused athlete, is the winning mentality you need to win at the Olympics.
People want to be part of something. And as sailors endeavoring to be the best in the world, that’s a very elite group. We should be proud to be gifted such an opportunity, aiming to be the best we can be.
A subtlety that can trip people up, is feeling that “elite” must emphasize “exclusivity”. “Inclusive and interactive” is the path to successful elite. We grow from broader interaction and use our developing experience to filter and retain the gold. Those that pan for gold in a larger river capture more gold – it’s that simple.
Can you envision yourself at the Olympics, confident, strong, prepared, comfortable, complete, skilled, seasoned, and looking forward to battling on the racecourse? As you look at your teammates, you’ll realize the moment isn’t just testing you – it is testing how you got there, what you learned, how you managed stress, how you overcame difficulty, how you learned together, how you built the medal-winning machine. If you’ve done it right, pride and confidence in the system and your peers will surge within; that’s the squad mentality.
This game should be fun. It should be stimulating, and we should look forward to it every day. Bring on the challenge – face the music. Embrace the power of the squad mentality. It’s a formula that has been proven again and again. Let’s do this together, have a good time, and win. As a lifelong sailor and coach, I can’t imagine doing it any other way.