I read a short but interesting article from the guys who run Growth Equation (which I support and recommend – you can do the same here).
They were writing about how an astronaut, a Navy SEAL, an elite runner, and a world-class Ironman coach could teach us about peak performance (I know, it sounds like one of those ‘man walks into a bar” jokes)…
They were all speaking at the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference – which I’ve never been able to fit into my schedule, but as a Sloan alum (entrepreneurship), I’ve been trying and dying to get to!
The fun part was that they they ALL described how the approach to peak performance involved some aspect of the “soft” skills like “love” or “joy” or “connection” with teammates. These are often thought of a ‘woo-woo’ and definitely not the kind of “data-driven” metrics that drive many of the “marginal gains” that characterize modern discussion about peak performance and yet they work and make ALL the difference.
As Steve writes, “Of course you also need the hard work, the deliberate practice, and even some data, science, and gadgets to understand how to perform better. But too often, we reach for the special routine, the supplement, the optimization of our work schedule, and neglect the human component. We don’t cultivate joy and love—of the process and of those on our team.
LOVE WINS!
