Brilliance, they say, has a rhythm. The rhythm that gets you to navigate the next corner at over 280 kilometres per hour. Or one that helps you smash back the next shot that’s flying in towards you at 250 of the same metric speed. Confluence brought together two legends who mastered their rhythms: a trailblazer on court, and a literal trailblazer on the track.
Analysing what happens at crunch time were Jim Courier, 4-time tennis grand slam champion and Mark Webber, 9-time F1 grand prix champion. Tracing the tipping points of success over their storied careers, the iconic duo shared their take on the many shades of victory. From acing the numbers to putting people in pole position, it was 60 minutes of insight that came in fast and furious. And whether it was data, disruption or desire, one thing was clear: there are beats to brilliance. It’s all about finding it and fusing it into your fabric.
Key Takeaways
Be your own opposition with numbers
Data is the art of patternspotting in sport. And what’s as important as studying the competition is studying oneself: to eliminate the weak spots and maximise the sweet spots. On the court or in the enterprise, the philosophy remains the same.
Sense the start-up phase in everything
Like a business, an athlete has an entrepreneurial period. It’s like believing in your own product with tenacity. Even when you’re a successful incumbent, any new initiative is essentially another start-up, where the same early-stage hunger must be recalled.
Find the ‘data receptiveness’ state of mind
There are times when you are open to studying data and moments when you aren’t. Data is the most objective form of feedback, and it tells some hard truths. So whether you’re an individual in a sport or in a team, get to the data when there’s room for reflection.
Culture gets you to the chequered flag
All the finance in the world cannot overcome a collaborative spirit. Big budgets don’t equate to big outcomes without a cultural core: to create, rise together and do whatever it takes to get across the finish line. Burning desire is what blazes the path to change.
