Richard has always been known as a man with a plan and as he approaches the end of his term as GB’s World Class Performance Manager, there is no doubt that Richard will be bowing out with pride.
Four years ago Richard was asked by Britain’s Will Connell to take over as Team Manager shortly before the Beijing Olympic Games where the British Team finished in 6th place. Their fairytale progression and medal haul since then has been well documented culminating in two historic Olympic golds and an individual bronze in London.
Described as masterminding Britain’s glittering dressage success, he is considered unique in his ability to perform multiple high level management roles while still competing at top level and ranking in touch of the world’s top twenty riders.
During his time as World Class Performance Manager Richard has designed and implemented strategic performance based plans, overseen elite squad management and also played a key role in the organisation of World Cup qualifiers and FEI Championships on home soil. All of which have undoubtedly raised Britain's competitiveness on the international stage. So what is the secret to Richards’s success and where will we see him next?
What do you think the secret behind the British Team’s success is?
Fundamentally it’s the partnering of three of the best horses in the world with three world class riders. While quite simply this is the secret to success, there are also many factors that can affect the performance of both the horses and riders – positively and negatively. This can be minuscule detail from a disillusioned or undervalued groom to the larger scale influences of administrative governing bodies or national federations and the stresses and pressure of everyone needing to work toward the same goals.
It’s also striving to be the best – the best at everything no matter how small or large the role might appear. Best practice has been key from both defining the best processes and protocols to ensuring the best people are used to the best of their ability. These key ingredients essentially result in improved performance.
It is all about teamwork. Real team work comes from everyone being accountable and taking pride in their own achievements and deliverables. Delegation helps everyone flourish, whereas micro-management is demoralising. I am proud to part of an efficient, disciplined and well turned out squad.
Will Connell’s contribution should not be underestimated. He pulls everything together and there are few better than Will when it comes to that. Without the right planning and the complex yet all-important funding, we would not be able to operate to the level we do, nor have the back up support.
Surely there must have been times of discord within the team and it can't have been all plain sailing?
Of course not! Where you have passionate and ambitious human beings who are sports men and women there will always be elements of conflict. We all also see things from a different perspective and can been too quick to make negative assumptions. I believe that conflict should be predicted and if the right system is in place to manage and resolve this conflict it can be very positive. Strong-minded personalities are what make winners and any successful sports man or woman will be driven to succeed with an unstoppable desire.
It is not the role of the team to necessarily be best friends and you won’t always get everyone to agree, but it is essential to have a professional working environment and the appropriate processes in place to work through concerns before they become conflicts.
Getting the best out of everyone is ensuring clarity – what their role is and importantly what it isn’t. The latter is critical for the efficiency and smooth running of a team, as it’s easy for enthusiastic and ambitious people to be overly enthusiastic and this is where conflict can be created.
Where do you think you made the most significant impact of your term in office?
I am convinced that since the shift of focus of British riders has moved away from getting selected and moved towards delivering performance the tide turned in favour of Team GB. The focus then comes down to individual training and competitions plans and setting realistic and measurable goals. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am obsessed with forward planning - its one thing getting selected and getting to the top but it’s another thing staying there. For me it’s about setting tangible goals, rather than discretionary goals. If the right goals are set that are measurable and performance led then riders have to analyse what they have to do to improve their performance. I don’t believe discretion leads to improved performance and it puts too much emphasis on tactics and not deliverables.
How would you describe your style of leadership?
The key for me is not to impose influence if it is not needed. Everyone is an individual and different riders and horses have different needs and require different level of influence and advice. It is not about making demands but working together based on the uniqueness of each individual combination and personality. You can influence a horse rider combination without them even realizing you are doing so and at an elite level this is often more effective. You don’t have to stand on the sidelines and shout from a megaphone to get results!
Who would you want to see replace you and what qualities do you think they should have?
Well that certainly isn’t for me to answer and each person will bring their own unique style and successes with them. As to the key requirements, I guess they will need a combination of management, communication and horsemanship experience. The more I got into the role the more I found these were the fundamental requirements.
Are other teams now jostling for your attention?
Well the jungle drums are always beating! I have been flattered by rumors that other teams are keen to talk to me but I am not rushing into any decisions as there are always a lot of things on the go my end!
Richard Davison is a four time Olympian and an individual London Games athlete in his own right. As Richard prepares to step-down, it’s a case of ‘watch this space’ for both Team GB and Richard. Olympic fever is still in our veins and the media focus is now on which teams will buy Britain’s medal winning horses. However, it could be more about getting the winning team formula and not just the best horse!
An interview with Richard Davison by Lucy Northmore
Photos © Astrid Appels
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