How well do you give feedback? In my years of interviewing, reading and watching interviews, I conclude that local sportspeople have a moderate competency in handling the media. Youth athletes smell of angst and teen spirit. They are comfortable expressing themselves with less regard for consequences.
In my analysis, only Garmin watch-users filed the complaint of ‘inaccurate distance’; there was no mention of other types of brands and instruments. Koh Yong Jin, a sports science consultant suggested, ‘Firstly, Garmin watches do not measure elevation well, provided the watch measures 3D profiles. There might be an apparent loss of distance. Secondly, each watch has a tolerance built in, to the tune of plus/minus 100-200 metres. Lastly, since it is an IAAF-sanctioned race, the distance had to be verified and approved according to international standards.’ IAAF is the International Association of Athletics Federations that provides the rules for large-scale international races.
Feedback is just that - feed back. That does not mean that decisions can be overturned immediately as there are consequences to stasis and dynamics. Change involves sensibility and sense. Things must make sense. Results merely captured a point in time, a snapshot of progress and performance. We can shift our focus from unfair rankings to actual timing, pace, intensity, tactical execution, nutrition, and confidence. Feed these data into another race in the near future, so as to change our training program, or stick with it.
Leadership Lessons: We will be judged from the way we communicate with others. How often do you give deeper and broader thought to how you speak and write? How often do you give the excuse of ignorance? How do you deal with severe criticism? How often do you seek refuge behind free media or a person when crisis emerges? How you deal with disappointment reflects on your ability to manage your relationships.
These were the rants of an upset elite age-grouper. Do you empathise with him? How do you relate to his feedback?
Another two reporters for RedSports also wrote a piece on unfair categorization of runners, and subsequent disappointment of runners who did not podium. Interestingly, both reporters were affected runners themselves. From a journalistic point of view, the piece was more of a social media observation rather than objective reporting.
The missing link of communication and feedback is feed forward. What we feed forward to another will be fodder for feeding back. Feedback is obvious when you position a ‘live’ microphone next to a speaker. It gives a shrill scream of a banshee! Feedback made at the moment of emotional outbursts may be irrational and unreasonable. Having said that, serious racers take their results seriously since they have different expectations and measurements of their performance.
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