Head Start Sport specialises in driving peak sporting performance by working on mental fitness and team preparation.
Run by Tom Dawson-Squibb, Rowan Belchers and Craig McKenzie, Head Start is based in Cape Town, South Africa.
22/11/2017
http://www.tomdawsonsquibb.com/blog/2017/11/6/a-poet-and-a-purple-cow
A poet and a purple cow Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Lines from a Dylan Thomas poem quoted by WP coach John Dobson prior to both the semi-final and finals of the recent successful Currie Cup campaign. This poem had and has li
22/11/2017
http://www.tomdawsonsquibb.com/blog/2017/11/14/the-leading-conversation-episode-4-john-dobson-part-1
The Leading Conversation Episode 4 - John Dobson (Part 1) An outstanding interview with John Dobson - Western Province rugby coach, entrepreneur and author. He talks candidly about his views on leadership, how difficult it is to get people to communicate, and what he's learnt 10 years on into his coaching journey.
22/11/2017
http://www.tomdawsonsquibb.com/blog/2017/11/22/the-leading-conversation-john-dobson-part-2
The Leading Conversation Episode 5 - John Dobson (Part 2) John gets stuck in in this part and gives some unbelievably candid insights. He talks about the biggest step up for his management team, what some key areas were for him winning the Currie Cup, as well as what his deepest wish is from leadership in South African sport. On top of this, he gives his t
Some thinking on getting the 'values' thing right, and how to gain traction in a team with an idea.
headstart | Plenty for the price of one Passion, pride, honesty, integrity – some of the words that come up endlessly in team conversations when the issue of desirable values are discussed. As someone who’s facilitated such conversations, I don’t make light of them, but I do sometimes question their efficacy. Are they game-changers or cli...
In 400 words I talk about a small but fundamentally powerful concept required to allow for systemic excellence.
headstart | Simply – The best I recently spent some time in the UK and Portugal where I met interesting people from both the sporting and corporate world. There were many lessons but what stood out was that sometimes the simplest concepts make the biggest impact.
The Proteas' performance in big tournaments have been captured! Here are some thoughts as to how to improve
http://headstartsport.co.za/2017/06/12/proteas-capture/
headstart | Proteas capture! It’s 2015 and South Africa’s cricket team are playing in the world cup semi final against New Zealand. Dale Steyn, who is about to bowl the final over to win his team the game, turns to his non-playing mates and coaches on the side of the field and says confidently, “I got this”. New Zealand’s Grant...
07/06/2017
Habits vs Goals : A Look at the Benefits of a Systematic Approach to Life The power of habits comes from their automaticity. This is why they are more powerful than goals. Read this article to harness the power of habits.
http://headstartsport.co.za/2017/05/02/it-takes-two-to-perform/
headstart | It takes “two” to perform Dan Vickerman, the Australian rugby player and former Cape Town boy recently chose to take his life – a tragedy of epic proportions. I cannot begin to understand what was going through his mind and the depths of depression he may have been feeling. It really is sad. What this did raise for me is the...
Having a muse about whether we are focusing on the right stuff as leaders. I welcome feedback/comment as always!
headstart | Does your scent work for you? We take a look at how to drive behaviour, whether the Boks are getting it right and what questions you could ask yourself as a leader
Some thoughts emerging from the latest The Leading Conversation
http://headstartsport.co.za/2017/02/03/pressure-the-average-vs-the-exceptional/
24/11/2016
A high-quality read. In line with our thinking that desperation is not a ticket to success https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/23/australia-need-to-look-beyond-hardness-and-aggression-to-fix-batting-woes
Australia need to look beyond 'hardness' and aggression to fix batting woes | Sam Perry Barely-qualified coaches, rigid commitment to orthodoxy and empty rhetoric threatens to entrench Australia’s mediocre Test batting for some time
http://headstartsport.co.za/2016/11/16/are-you-sure-you-want-to-be-desperate-2/
headstart | Are you sure you want to be desperate? Is it working for you?