Risk management in elite sport
Dominique Gisin – a former Swiss ski racer and Olympic downhill champion – mastered the steepest pistes and highest risks during her career. Performance psychologist Dr Christian Marcolli supported her throughout. Although we at SERV aren’t actually braving the slopes, there are still lots of parallels: we grapple with a variety of challenges and risks every day. We’re also united by the goal of achieving something – even if it seems difficult.
What thoughts went through your head when you were in the start hut before a race?
Dominique Gisin: I liked it when it was steep right at the start and you could really pick up speed. For an elite athlete that’s a pleasure and great fun.
Which of your character traits particularly helped you to keep trying despite setbacks?
Dominique Gisin: Skiing makes me happy. When you have such a passion for something, taking risks is worth it. At the same time, however, it’s also extremely important to create a supportive environment. The right people will keep supporting and encouraging you to reach new heights.
How do you turn a negative into a positive?
Dr Christian Marcolli: It takes a lot of work. We all wish that we could achieve success with as little pain and as few problems as possible. But not everyone is able to do this. The important thing is to accept your own path, with all its twists and obstacles.
What are the similarities with regard to psychological support for an elite athlete and for a company?
Dr Christian Marcolli: It always starts with a vision – even if this initially seems only remotely realistic. It gives us a goal that we can work towards. It doesn’t matter whether we’re working with an elite athlete or a company executive. Anyone looking to achieve great things needs a vision that appears “almost impossible”. But the vision alone isn’t enough: it also takes skill, desire and endurance to close the gap between the dream and the reality. It’s essential to never give up, constantly improve and acquire the necessary expertise. Resilience is just as important – the ability to deal with setbacks, keep going and always believe in your vision.
What quality do we need to develop in ourselves to achieve a specific goal?
Dr Christian Marcolli: You need to have a healthy fearlessness.
Dominique Gisin: You have to find the balance between freedom and safety.
What’s true in elite sport is also true for companies. It’s about consciously taking risks so that challenges become new opportunities.
