Architect of the grand design
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor 25 Aug 2024 23:00 BST
Sutech 16 foot skiff © Michael Chittenden
I have had several conversations with one, Mick Miller, in the last few weeks. Typically, they've lasted around 40 to 60 minutes. An interesting guy, for sure. Now did I just hear a collective 'Whoop-de-do'? It's OK. I got it. Thing is, however, you're talking about one hell of a journey, thus far, and he may just have a thing or two in his trusty sail bag to help you along.
Plenty of names have enjoyed some of his teachings to date, and he now has a new, encompassing offering that could help you, no matter whether you're focussed on LA 2028, this season's club championship in your locale, the 2025 Nationals in your class, or claiming the 38th America's Cup.
Now the title, Enhance Your Sailing Team's Winning Potential, is nearly completely devoid of the de rigueur sex and sizzle you kind of need these days to get breakthrough, but the contents could well be the very thing you're going to need to get you and your team to the exact goals you have set.
As a self-confessed propeller cap, and pocket protector wearing nerd, I have got into a lot of this, as we saw with the psychology of creating and building teams with Katharina Kuehn in Going really, really, really deep, and earlier a review of the advancements in technical skills training with the brilliant Ben Durham in No Bull.
In the case of Mick Miller, there is a conceptual nature to what he does. Each time it is effectively customised around a central core, much like you don't start a business without a plan, in which there are the mission statement, objectives, strategies, tactical implementations, communications frameworks, and also reward structures. Create an enterprise without any of this sort of clarity, and you are probably better off going and spending the rest of your life with the gang out at Nimbin. Have a nice life. (I know! That it is an Aussie reference, but every place has one, just look...)
Yes. Success is arguably the cornerstone of this. Otherwise, you are an also ran. Nothing wrong with that, if that's your plan, but if lofty heights are what get you out of bed in the morning, then you are ultra-aware that a reference check of the scoreboard is both essential for motivation, and reward. It is not about arrogance; it is about drive and satisfaction. Deeply personal stuff.
Miller commented, "Every individual is all unique and different, which is what makes the world such a wonderful place. On a sailing boat this makes it a tremendous place to be, but it can also make it quite challenging. Now if you customise it to the souls on board, then they're going to feel more valued, and the more valued they feel, the more consistently they will operate."
So, before you start to use words like 'love-in', and 'group hug', you're talking about a guy who took a 1968, 1500cc VW Beetle with its blistering 44hp around Australia, fundraising for charity. In other words, he knows how to do the do, not just say the words. Equally, his experience has been applied to many sports, including sailing, rugby union, rugby league, golf, cricket, tennis, and rowing, and even corporates and government bodies have sought Miller out for his teachings.
What is interesting to point out is how many have been long term advocates for his work, returning time and time again. You cannot help but get into a bit of name dropping, especially when you can have Iain Murray AM, Rob Brown OAM, the wonderful Adam Beashel, Katie Spithill, James Spithill, Grant Pellew, Belinda Stowell OAM, Angela Farrell, Annie Wilmot, both Michael Coxons, Jim Colley, and the demigod, Colin Beashel OAM, in the list of private and group clients.
Then, in other sports there is the late Harald Jährling in rowing (very sad to learn of his somewhat recent passing BTW), and the Manly Sea Eagles of Rugby League infamy (to many, it must be said). Several of these relationships go well back into the 90s, whereas others were not even born then, but are forging a similar flight path. Miller has soared like an eagle and lived through adversity, and it is often these people who deliver learnings worth adhering to.
"It is important to understand how you want to live, why you want to live, and what you want to achieve whilst you're here. If you only have an ephemeral take on all that, you just won't be able to reach the summit. We use clarity to create real and tangible definitions to the tasks at hand," said Miller. "As humans, all our endeavours need to look at things physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, nutritionally, and mentally, without being overwhelming. Only then can we appreciate how you want to communicate with yourself, and therefore others, as well as staying true to your values, and enjoying the rewards as they come."
Miller's roots are in strength and conditioning, and over the years the all-important grey matter aspects have led him to become the performance coach he is today. Whether it is paddling from Molokai Island to Waikiki Beach, or digging trenches, Miller has seen it, and got the T-shirts to go with it.
The complete and catastrophic implosion of the Australian Rowing Team one year out from the Atlanta Games could well be a defining career nexus for Miller. "I was there to witness that; to really witness a team with no values, a team with no mission statement, and a team without any communication structure. John Boultbee took the whole team under his wing, sat down with all of us and shared the new mission for the right team and what the values were for the team.
"Not only that, but then he also asked us, what our values were, what values did we bring to the rowing team, and how important were we to the rowing team? I'd never seen anyone do this before. John mentioned, 'We don't have 365 days. We only have 364 days now, and this is how we're going to swing this team around.' Within a year, the whole team was completely swung around and the energy and the vibration that came out of that was incredible. The whole demeanour was brilliant, as was the focussed structure."
Of course, '96 was Australian Rowing's best ever Games.
"Enhancing teamwork is about mission and values, effective and efficient communication, and a really simple, but robust reward and review program. You cannot hide if you really want to stand up. You have to look in the mirror, and totally get yourself, and what you are going to do about it. 'Enhance Your Sailing Team's Winning Potential' is going to allow you to discover your value, enhance your strengths and that of the campaign, as well as your entire communications and self-reward programme.
"What I have done is take into addressing what we want to invest in, whether that is from the start line to the top mark, or the run to the bottom. The focus then becomes purely positive, and thereby sharpens the outcomes. It is simple, and effective. We never mention the word 'bad' at all, and subsequently, not feeding it into your psyche," said Miller.
"We're not spending any time on the negatives. We're more encouraging you to expand on your strengths."
Yes. The grand design applies foundations, a framework, boundaries, design, and most importantly, vision, all the while taking into consideration the environment and the inhabitants. It is all-encompassing, as it goes about crafting an experience and state of being. It is not custom. Rather, it is the very definition of bespoke. This is all about firstly fleshing out the idea to create the plan, then spelling out the design to ensure, nay, enshrine its delivery!
Doing something substantial does require an Architect to complete its delivery, otherwise it is merely an idea or notion.
I haven't done the programs, as it were, but I can say that the dedication, genuine interest, and clarity of thought that it is Mick Miller will be omnipresent to anyone who does undertake the program. When you're chasing the top step on the dais, you're kind of going to need an enthusiastic and intelligent Terrier at your side. That alone could well be worth the price of admission. Contact him to find out more for yourself - Mick Miller
OK. There it is. There is so much more on the group's websites for you. Simply use the search field, or 'edition' pull-down menu up the top on the right of the masthead to find it all. Please enjoy your yachting, stay safe, and thanks for tuning into Sail-World.com
John Curnow
Sail-World.com AUS Editor