High performance is never a solo endeavour

Support systems are integral to high-performance, but when people hear the words high performance, they often imagine focus. Discipline. Determination. The will to succeed. And while those qualities matter, they only tell part of the story.

During my kayaking career, I experienced enormous pressure and expectation to perform – from competition and from myself – but I never carried that load alone. Behind every gold medal, there was a team. Coaches. Sports psychologist. Physio. Teammates. Friends. Family.

Winning in a single kayak might look like a solo performance, but it’s always a team effort.

You don’t have to do it alone

There were moments when I was struggling — physically, mentally, emotionally.

What got me through wasn’t just my mindset. It was the people around me who believed in me when I doubted myself. Who offered perspective, encouragement, and accountability. Who didn’t judge me when I shared how I was feeling. Who helped me get back on track when I couldn’t do it alone.

Those support systems weren’t just nice to have — they were vital to my performance.

And it’s no different in the workplace.

High performance needs high support

In business, we often celebrate the “resilient leader” as someone who stays calm under pressure, navigates complexity, and keeps going when others slow down.

But even the strongest leaders need people around them — to challenge them, support them, and share the load.

Excellence in organisations is built through:

Psychological safety – where people can speak up, ask for help, and admit mistakes without fear
Strong relationships – where trust is deep enough to weather tension or disagreement
Clear communication – especially under pressure or change
Consistent check-ins – so struggles are spotted early, not when it’s too late

When people feel seen, supported, and valued, they don’t just cope better — they perform better.

A high performance culture is a connected one

Whether I was training for a world title or returning from illness, it was the presence and support of people I trusted that made the biggest difference.

They didn’t take the challenges away — but they helped me work through them.

And that’s what I encourage in the teams I coach today: Don’t just ask people to deliver high performance. Make sure they’re supported to deliver high performance.

Excellence isn’t a character trait. It’s a muscle we build together.

It grows in environments where people look out for each other, challenge each other, and lift each other when the pressure hits.