In this episode of "The Rebuild" podcast, hosts Carmen and Beth interview Ben Sporer, a human performance expert, about optimizing performance and rebuild periods using lessons from the world of sports. Ben is a leader in human performance with a background in Olympic and professional sports. He is the founder of Resync Consulting and an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia.
Key discussion points:
•The genesis of the discussion: The conversation is inspired by the idea of sports teams undergoing rebuild periods, which sparked the concept for the podcast.
•Output versus Outcome: Ben clarifies that while winning is important, it is an outcome that is not always within one's control3. He emphasizes the significance of focusing on output, which includes preparation and performance, as it is something one can control. Success is more than winning.
•Managing messaging: The discussion touches on how the message of focusing on output is received differently by athletes at the peak of their performance versus those in a slump.
•Performance objective: Ben introduces the concept of viewing life through a performance lens, where individuals must identify their performance objectives, the required output to achieve them, and whether they can realistically deliver that output.
•Honesty and objective setting: Ben stresses the importance of being honest about one's performance objectives and recognizing when those objectives change, using his own career and family life as examples.
•Measuring success: The episode explores how people measure whether they are doing enough and the tendency to silo those measurements. Ben uses the analogy of a pitcher of water and multiple glasses to illustrate how individuals choose where to allocate their capacity and energy.
Prioritization and focus: Ben advises being intentional about which "glasses" or areas to focus on. He introduces the concept of net performance impact, which involves assessing the positive and negative impacts of different actions on overall performance.
• Support System: The necessity of a solid support system is emphasized to effectively manage training and performance demands.
•Integrated output: Ben describes the core four of performance as the physical, mental, technical, and tactical.
•Keeping your eyes on your own lane: It is important to know what the competition is doing, but it is more important to be clear on your own objectives.
•Working with Executives: Ben discusses how he applies these principles to coaching executives, often starting with a physical goal and then expanding to address broader aspects of their lives and careers.
•Continuous learning: Ben notes that high performers have a growth mindset, but they need to understand whether they are successful because of their choices or in spite of them.
•Final advice: Be honest about the performance objective.