‘Talking Tactically’

with Lachlan Tighe..... 

(a new weekly edition, commenced 12/9/2001, of thoughts, observations and commentaries on developments for bowls coaching and competition)

".....a winning philosophy"

(edition twenty two, 09/10/2002, of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

Hello Australia after an eight(8) month sojourn in international bowling.

The last column I prepared in late February was on the Lex Bertrand’s sailing philosophy of  ‘no limits’ And I said that for me the answer for improved development is instilling a culture ( via leadership) that embraces the attitude of practising successful habits.......moving to Lex Bertrand’s stratospheric zone of  NO LIMITS . 

The basis for success revolves around a sound philosophy.  And the philosophy I instilled into the Malaysian national bowls team was attitude: all about practising habits.

And with 4 medals from 8 events, I gauge Malaysian bowls a success.

It was important that the essence of the philosophy was accepted by all involved with the bowls in Malaysia so I took it upon myself to take time with everyone I met to share with them the reason for the philosophy, ultimately believing it would be successful.

However the benefit of taking that time was to gain a ‘recruit’ to my approach so as to have them act as ambassadors to talk about the approach taken at national level whenever they were in various parts of Malaysia.

What I wanted each and everyone to know and do was set the standards and foster a culture leading toward excellence.

I borrowed from other coaches of excellence who reached the pinnacle of success in Olympic sports and was never deterred by lesser lights, especially in bowls, who might argue or criticise our chosen path.

That did not mean I chose not to listen to good or better views as those were variations on the process or method, not a variation on the principle or philosophy.

So from 25/2 when I arrived in Malaysia to the day of crowning (gold) glory on 5/8 we wrote, read, uttered and practised the two phrases:

‘…in your dreams’ &

‘…attitude: all about practising habits’

which kept us focused like a beacon on the mountain we strode to climb.

I said in the February article I hope one day to meet you in Lex’s ‘no limits’ zone. With some Malaysian colleagues we have climbed the peak to reach Lex’s zone – we welcome you to accept the challenge as the view is good from here.

NEXT WEEK  ...the people committed to make the philosophy happen

regards. 

Lachlan Tighe

"....it is just not cricket!"

"...tactical analysis of or in competition"

"How do you assess the performance of a Coach"

"... no Limits"