gap hr services logo white
HR Services and Employment Law specialist: For Employers
Menu
gap hr services logo white
HR Services and Employment Law specialist: For Employers
Call Us: 01491 598 600 Email Us: cw@gaphr.co.uk

  • Home
  • Services
    • Architects HR
    • Golf HR
    • Hospitality HR
  • Quizzes
    • Quiz
    • Redundancy Quiz
    • Contract Quiz
    • Disciplinary Quiz
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Redundancy
    • Disciplinaries
    • FAQs
    • Contracts
    • Settlement Agreements
  • About us
    • HR Case Studies
  • Contact us

Tales of an HR Services Expert – Day 6: I row – it could have been me!

Written by Carolyne Wahlen

I had the huge pleasure of meeting Ben Hunt-Davis (who is really tall, 6ft 6!). Ben is an Olympic gold medal winner from the Sydney 2000 games. He won, with his team, the gold medal for rowing in the men’s 8s.

This is particularly relevant to me as I rowed in the Goring and Streatley Regatta the last two years.

Last year was the first time I had rowed (although I have paddled a canoe before) and the effort required to get four people to do the same thing at the same time, consistently, is mind-blowingly difficult. Ever had that feeling at work?!

Ben and his team made gold because they asked themselves about every incident and decision “Will this make the boat go faster?” If not, then they didn’t do it! They even made the decision to NOT parade in the once in a lifetime opening ceremony – they watched it on TV!! Why? Because before a normal race they wouldn’t stand around for 4 hours, late into the night, celebrating with bad food and alcohol, so why do so just before THE race? How would it make their boat go faster? Answer is of course, it wouldn’t. And they were right: all the others went, they didn’t, and they won the gold!

While this is of course relevant to rowing, it is easily applicable to business. How much of what you do it making your “boat” go faster at work? Or are you, as so many of us are, distracted by stuff that actually takes us in the opposite direction?

Now last year we won the regatta, by two boat lengths in the final! This year was somewhat different, and our reasons for failure apply equally well to your business.

– We were allocated to the advanced class. Not bad in itself, but then all the emails flying around between the others in the team were about how we weren’t good enough to be in this class, and how could they do this to us, and it was unfair, and we would never be able to win. How defeatist!

– On the day, one of the members of the team continued in this mode, although the other three of us were up for the challenge. We even had to tell her to shut up at one point because she was just so down and was saying that it wasn’t really even worth turning up.

– For me personally, I was not focused on the rowing that day. I was rushing around taking kids to their activities and “fitting in” the regatta in the afternoon. No focus, too many other things on my mind, not calm and collected like Ben’s team.

How many things are you juggling in your business that aren’t core, don’t really contribute and are distracting you from where you want to be?

So although we had exactly the same team, the external conditions had changed and we were unable to respond properly.
Look at your team and see if that is the same for you. Your team that used to be able to deliver the business one/two/three years ago, have the conditions changed? Are they talking themselves down? Are they blaming the economy rather than changing to survive?

What distractions do you need to get rid of to make your “boat” go faster?

Filed Under: Business, Getting things done

golf hr book

Click here to download


ticks

Never worry about going to tribunal again!

BOOK NOW!

Do it, before it's too late!

carolyne wahlen

About Carolyne

Carolyne has run a successful business since 2003, is a well-respected speaker, and author of all things HR. There are many, many business owners across the country who have had their very stressful employee issues magically disappear because they’ve teamed up with Carolyne and Gap HR.

Why Gap HR?

We exist to help you stay legal, compliant and profitable, without shelling out for an in-house HR manager. Over 180 clients benefit from the experience and expertise of the Gap HR team.

 

Call us on 01491 598 600

Email me on cw@gaphr.co.uk

 

Click here to download

Ask a Question

  • If you are an employee and feel that you have been treated badly, then we strongly advise you to contact ACAS:

    Call the ACAS Helpline on 0300 123 1100 for free support and advice.

    Simply get in touch and they'll provide you with clear and confidential guidance about any kind of dispute or query that you have about relationship issues within the workplace.

    You may want to know about employment rights and rules, best practice or you may need advice about a dispute.

    Whatever it is, just give ACAS a call, their team are on hand to respond within the hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Where our clients are:

View Gap clients in a full screen map

“We have been using Gap HR for several years now. Carolyne and her team are professional and efficient and we would not hesitate in recommending them for small businesses. It is a great relief to know we are supported by them for our HR advice and paperwork is kept up to date.”

Deb Green, Vermatech Pest Control

“I have been working with Carolyne and her team for 6 years now , when I first purchased 2Excel Logistics I found the HR scary as I wanted to do the right thing for my staff , with Gap HR on my side this all seemed easy and we have gone from 9 staff to 28 with no hassle what so ever , thank you to all at Gap HR”

Justin Wilkie, 2Excel Logistics

“So pleased to be working with Gap HR. They’ve straightened us out in no time. Their pricing is clear and they really know what they are talking about.”

Ashley Lewis, Wallingford Tiles and Bathrooms

“We are a growing company but do not have facilities in house yet for HR services in house. Gap HR is our go to service for all kinds of advice about HR for our business and we have found them very reliable, communicative and efficient. Would definitely recommend them”

Helen Gordon, Kitecreative

“Carolyne and team continue to provide great support to our business, with quick and accurate responses to help with our various HR needs.”

Gap HR Services Logo

“Gap HR have been at our side for a number of years now and are a great help in dealing with our HR needs”

Copyright © 2022 Name & Registered Office:

Gap HR Services Ltd.
Wallingford Road, Goring, Reading, RG8 0HN, UK
Phone: 01491 598 600

Company No. 08146299 | Contact us | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About this Website