Productivity
The strengths behind the world's top track stars
What leads an athlete to track and field glory? Beyond physical ability it's all about what goes on in the top three inches. So we've set about discovering exactly what.
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When you think athletics, you think track and field. This is the stage upon which some of the world’s greatest athletes show their ability to run, jump and throw further than anyone else – and occasionally set a world record.
Becoming an elite track and field star is, of course, all about physical ability. Athletes focus on honing their raw natural gifts to become something even more special. But what motivates them to do that? And what are the other strengths put on display that originate more in the body’s top three inches than its muscles? Well, we’ve been hard at work trying to find out (with the help of the Red Bull Wingfinder personality test).
Through approximately 280 questions focusing on four key areas (connections, thinking, creativity and drive), Red Bull Wingfinder applies over 30 years of psychological research to discover what you’re good at. And that’s why we’ve put it to the test to find out what really makes some of the world’s leading track and field athletes tick (plus a couple other star names who journey both on and off the track).
Innovative
A track and field athlete’s life revolves around routine. You have a training schedule, a rest schedule and even an eating schedule. And if any sport within track and field epitomised routine, it’s the high jump. From length of stride to foot placement, nailing the jump requires pinpoint accuracy in the run-up and launch, time and again.
So it’s interesting, then, that world champion high jumper, Mutaz Barshim has ‘Innovative’ as one of his four Wingfinder strengths. Being innovative means you're able to generate original ideas and think differently – preferring to avoid the obvious route when it comes to problem-solving.
"Being innovative is definitely a big part of my life,” said Barshim, when we caught up with him to discuss the results. “I'm always trying to come up with better ways to jump, better ways to train, and creating a path rather than following a trail."
Mutaz Barshim prides himself on his ability to think differently
© Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
It may seem like routine is crucial to sporting perfection, but it clearly also takes someone to think outside of the box and break the mould to push themselves – and the sport – to new heights.
Supportive
For most athletes, and especially those in track and field, success is determined by you and you alone – at least that’s what it would appear. But the reality is that every athlete, no matter in a team sport or an individual one, will be supported in the background by coaches, family and friends that help them on their way to the top. And heptathlete Sarah Lagger is a great example of that.
Lagger has ‘Supportive’ as one of her core Wingfinder strengths. And it’s clear where she gets it from, and the impact it has had on her career. "My family means everything to me," said Lagger, in an interview with Trans World Sport. "They've always supported me whenever they can, I know they’re behind me, and I couldn't achieve anything without them."
Sarah Lagger benefits from a caring support team
© Mirja Geh/Red Bull Content Pool
Being supportive helps Lagger to focus on the bigger picture, and consider other people's opinions before her own. This has clearly enabled her to maintain close relationships with her crucial support team.
Adaptable
The ability to embrace change is important in any sporting discipline – things aren’t always going to go your way. So it’s absolutely crucial if you do not one sport, but three. Surprise, surprise, we’re talking about triathlon. In this gruelling event you have to adapt from one extreme to the next, and as quickly as possible. And that’s why three-time world champion Gwen Jorgensen has ‘Adaptable’ as a Wingfinder strength.
Being adaptable means Jorgensen can cope with, and embrace, changing goals and objectives. In triathlon, this strength enables her to quickly switch focuses – from swimming to cycling to running. Jorgensen highlighted her adaptability when speaking with us back in 2016:
“I started triathlon in 2010, and that’s when I started riding the bike, as well,” she said. “There’s definitely a lot of missing pieces still. There’s a lot of things I know I’m not great at. And it can be super frustrating, but at the same time I know I have improvements to make.”
You can check out the full interview here:
Confident
We said at the start about the importance of an athlete’s physical abilities. But if there’s a single strength that can take those physical gifts and drive them to the next level, it’s confidence. With confidence you have an unwavering belief in your abilities, which means you never shy away from trying new things, or taking the lead.
And taking the lead is exactly what Daniela Ryf specialises in. The Swiss is a four-time Ironman world champion, which means she’s spent a lot of time leading the pack in pole position. Ryf’s confidence has not only lead her to multiple world championships, but it has also left her revered by others as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Daniela Ryf is used to leading from the front
© Brian Bielmann/Red Bull Content Pool
So there you have it. Innovative, supportive, adaptable, confident – these strengths have each played a key role in the lives of all four athletes. But clearly in very separate ways.
With the Red Bull Wingfinder test we were able to reveal those strengths and dig deeper into the roles they have played. So why don’t you do the same and take the test yourself?
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