Talking Performance Episode 11 with Special Guest Christian Penny
Jul 2, 2020
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Christian Penny, leader of High Performance Sport New Zealand's Coach Accelerator Program and former director of Toi Whakaari, shares unique insights at the intersection of sports and drama. He discusses the importance of integrating indigenous Māori cultural practices into personal growth and coaching. Christian emphasizes creating authentic connections in performance, navigating team transitions with empathy, and paralleling resilience in parenting. He also addresses the need for open dialogues about cultural identities, encouraging an inclusive and supportive environment.
Integrating Māori cultural frameworks like tikanga marae into coaching enhances interpersonal relationships and fosters a deeper understanding within teams.
Prioritizing relationships over tasks creates opportunities for co-creating meaning and encourages collaboration, as emphasized by the Māori saying about the importance of people.
Implementing theater techniques in coaching can improve team dynamics by fostering creativity and play, ultimately enhancing performance under pressure.
Deep dives
Exploring Cultural Frameworks
The podcast emphasizes the importance of integrating Māori cultural frameworks, especially tikanga marae, into various contexts, including coaching and performance. The speakers highlight how these frameworks foster a sense of group and interpersonal relationships, which are often overlooked in traditional Western practices. They discuss a transformative experience at Manutuke Marae, where participants learned to engage with their whole selves and embrace the cultural practices, leading to deeper understanding and connection. This approach aims not only to honor Māori traditions but also to enhance overall performance and personal growth.
The Role of Relationships in Performance
Relationships are deemed fundamental to effective performance, encouraging individuals to regard encounters as opportunities for co-creating meaning rather than just completing tasks. The speakers discuss the Māori saying, 'he tangata, he tangata, he tangata,' which translates to the notion that people and relationships are paramount. By fostering interpersonal connections and valuing differences, participants can cultivate environments that promote collaboration and innovation. This shift in perspective allows teams to learn from their differences, ultimately leading to richer outcomes and solutions.
The Importance of Listening and Intention
Listening is highlighted as a crucial skill, with a focus on maintaining the mana (prestige) of all parties involved during discussions. The speakers explore how traditional conversation patterns often prioritize winning arguments over collaborative problem-solving. By reframing interactions to ensure both parties' mana is preserved, individuals can foster a more constructive dialogue. This approach nurtures a shared sense of respect and understanding, which can lead to innovative solutions emerging from collaborative discussions.
Applications of Theatre Techniques in Coaching
The intersection of theatre and coaching is examined, particularly how drama techniques can enhance team dynamics in sports and high-performance environments. The speakers note that effective performance under pressure requires a spirit of play and creativity similar to that needed in theatre. They illustrate this by sharing experiences from coaching, where establishing rapport and a safe space for expression leads to improved focus and performance. Emphasizing play within training sessions not only fosters creativity but also enhances team cohesion and resilience.
Parenting and Developing Resilience
Insights into parenting are shared, particularly the balance between guiding children effectively while allowing them to learn from their experiences. The speakers suggest that it is essential to nurture a child's sense of identity and to refrain from removing their challenges, as these are opportunities for growth. They highlight the importance of creating an open dialogue with children, which builds resilience and allows them to navigate the complexities of life confidently. By focusing on seeing the child's potential rather than solely their achievements, parents can support their children in developing adaptive skills for the future.
Tonight's guest is Christian Penny who is the leader of High Performance Sport New Zealand's Coach Accelerator Program.
Christian has come from the drama world where he was director of Toi Whakaari (New Zealand Drama School) for 6 years prior to taking on the role at HPSNZ. Christian brings to life the Tikanga Marae framework to the program and we cover some of these themes in this episode
If you enjoyed this podcast then please download it and share it with your mates, or you can watch our sessions live on Facebook 8pm NZ time on the open group page TalkingPerformance