Even Defeats Must Be Celebrated
Tanja Frieden, as a coach, you don't have a starting house and a finish line like in sports - how do you know if you are doing your job well? I am - and I have this, of course, from sports - very "goal-oriented" in coaching as well. For me, the most important thing is to set goals. I don't take on a task without both my client and I clearly knowing what should be different after our collaboration. It doesn't always have to be a measurable performance goal, but a clear goal must be set. So you also have a certain need for measurability in coaching? Certainly, otherwise I wouldn't perceive my work as professional. I come from competitive sports, and for me, the work must make sense and be purposeful. In sports, two things are very important: perseverance and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Can people be prepared for that? Yes. One always also considers the worst-case scenario and the possibility of not achieving the set goal. In sports, setbacks can be very severe - you have experienced this yourself. How do you deal with it? Defeats are "part of the game" in sports. And we athletes are generally quite neutral. We may be evaluated, but we only compare one day to another. On one day, I may be the best, on another not. Society perceives this very differently, they see one as a good athlete and the other as a bad one. But our performance is only measured at specific points, and failure is part of it. In sports, this is clear, but in the business world, much less so. However, those who digest defeats more easily have the best career opportunities - regardless of the field. And how do you digest a defeat? It is important to also allow for what I like to call the "pillar phase" in a defeat. Just as one celebrates success, one must also "celebrate" the defeat, like a pig rolling in the mud. One must also give the valleys the necessary space. And then wash off the dirt and make a plan. Set a new goal because the goal you had before the defeat is often no longer achievable. One must perceive the new situation, recognize what is achievable in this situation, narrow the focus, and proceed in small steps.
How do you get your inner pig-dog to get up and start running again in such a situation, almost starting from scratch? Overcoming the physical aspect is the easy part in sports. The mental aspect is much more insidious. It can prevent you from giving the last 10 percent. You go from 100 to 0, and everyone is watching. Added to this is the pressure of expectations and one's own dreams. But here again, it is about digesting it, understanding what happened. One must also give room to the emotions of grief and anger. Yes, the inner pig-dog is strong. But then it's about goal analysis again. Why do I want to get up again, what drives me? And: Do my goals still apply? If my goal is still the same, then I start again because then I know why and for what I am doing it. Even though all the effort, suffering, and external pressure often seem irrational. "It's important to be disciplined and listen to my body."
So it's also legitimate to say after a setback: I don't want any of this anymore? Of course, I have experienced such situations with athletes but also with business people. The path must be right for the individual, no matter which direction it leads. What was your toughest setback? I may need to first explain how I see myself. I always wanted an intense life, and I carry a whole palette of experiences with me. The Olympic victory consists of different colors - with a golden ending. I have extreme highs, but also extreme lows. What really knocked me in life often had nothing to do with my athletic performance goals. One of the toughest moments was certainly the loss of my parents. Coming out of that situation, where other things were not going well either, was tough. And then there are many health issues that have accompanied me for years. But here we are again at the point where one must adjust their goals. I can either mourn the former, non-existent state or make something out of the new situation. Such challenges can also motivate you. I have learned to be disciplined and listen to my body. Nothing happens for no reason; one can learn something from every situation.
So a defeat also has its good sides? As an athlete, I must be able to ask myself what I can learn from a setback. This applies to many other professions and can be directly transferred to the business world. Especially with defeats, it is often easier there than for an athlete who has to give 100 percent again the next day after a defeat. The entire processing must take place within 24 hours.
You draw many comparisons between the sports and business world - are they so similar? Athletes and leaders have similar parameters. They must be able to reflect, they must be able to perceive themselves; otherwise, they cannot act as purposefully as their profession demands. But such strategies can also be useful for completely different professions or in private life. Everyone can win or lose a medal in their everyday life. About Tanja Frieden In 2006, she won Olympic gold in Snowboardcross in Turin. Today, Tanja Frieden, 39, advises athletes, managers, and teams in their development as a coach for movement in the mind and body.
