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Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? (Second Edition): Olympic-Winning Strategies for Everyday Success
With its winning mix of gripping narrative and easy-to-implement performance-raising tips, this book has become a best-selling classic. It’s garnered five-star reviews and wide-ranging endorsements - from Sebastian Coe and Dame Kelly Holmes to Lord Digby Jones.
The book tells the inspiring story of how Ben Hunt-Davis - an ordinary guy on an ordinary team - achieved something pretty Olympic gold. Coauthor Harriet Beveridge, executive coach, then gives a simple, engaging account of how we can apply these strategies to raise our own game...in sport, in business, and in life.
Building on the huge success of the original, this second edition includes two completely new chapters - on high-performance conversations and performance under pressure - as well as a general update based on the successes people and businesses have reaped from the first edition.
In the book’s signature down-to-earth and practical style, the new chapters unlock simple ways for listeners to thrive in their own pressured environments and to communicate in ways which consistently improve results.
Whether you are a business leader looking to achieve a compelling vision, an individual with a dream, or a coach supporting others to unlock their potential, this book is jam-packed with tried and tested methods to help you achieve your own "gold medal".
The book tells the inspiring story of how Ben Hunt-Davis - an ordinary guy on an ordinary team - achieved something pretty Olympic gold. Coauthor Harriet Beveridge, executive coach, then gives a simple, engaging account of how we can apply these strategies to raise our own game...in sport, in business, and in life.
Building on the huge success of the original, this second edition includes two completely new chapters - on high-performance conversations and performance under pressure - as well as a general update based on the successes people and businesses have reaped from the first edition.
In the book’s signature down-to-earth and practical style, the new chapters unlock simple ways for listeners to thrive in their own pressured environments and to communicate in ways which consistently improve results.
Whether you are a business leader looking to achieve a compelling vision, an individual with a dream, or a coach supporting others to unlock their potential, this book is jam-packed with tried and tested methods to help you achieve your own "gold medal".
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Published July 2, 2021
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December 27, 2025
I heard about this book recently on a podcast and was immediately drawn to the story behind it. The idea comes from Team GB Rowing, who against all odds went on to win Olympic gold at the Sydney 2000 Games. Their entire approach, from training and psychology to nutrition, tactics, and team dynamics, was guided by one brutally simple question: does it make the boat go faster?
That question became the filter for everything. If the answer was no, it was scrapped. No sentimentality, no distractions.
This really resonated with me, because I’ve started applying the same thinking to my own career. For those who know me well, I’ve had a daily list of 12 tasks I’ve done consistently to work towards my 10,000 hours goal. It takes around three hours a day and I’ve been doing it for the past six years, up to the end of 2025. But over time, I realised I was stretching myself in too many directions, burning out, and trying to do everything rather than the right things. I wanted to be surgical about this and streamline everything I do which is guided by the same question. Does it make my boat go faster?
Using the ideas from this book, I’ve properly re-evaluated and re-strategised. I’ve trimmed the fat aggressively. If something doesn’t make my boat go faster, it’s gone.
I’ve also introduced a weekly accountability check-in (AI) where my actions get scrutinised pretty bluntly, with monthly and quarterly reviews that focus purely on progress and alignment. It’s been uncomfortable at times, but effective.
This book does a great job of translating elite Olympic thinking into something practical and actionable. Simple, focused, and genuinely useful. I’m really glad I picked it up.
That question became the filter for everything. If the answer was no, it was scrapped. No sentimentality, no distractions.
This really resonated with me, because I’ve started applying the same thinking to my own career. For those who know me well, I’ve had a daily list of 12 tasks I’ve done consistently to work towards my 10,000 hours goal. It takes around three hours a day and I’ve been doing it for the past six years, up to the end of 2025. But over time, I realised I was stretching myself in too many directions, burning out, and trying to do everything rather than the right things. I wanted to be surgical about this and streamline everything I do which is guided by the same question. Does it make my boat go faster?
Using the ideas from this book, I’ve properly re-evaluated and re-strategised. I’ve trimmed the fat aggressively. If something doesn’t make my boat go faster, it’s gone.
I’ve also introduced a weekly accountability check-in (AI) where my actions get scrutinised pretty bluntly, with monthly and quarterly reviews that focus purely on progress and alignment. It’s been uncomfortable at times, but effective.
This book does a great job of translating elite Olympic thinking into something practical and actionable. Simple, focused, and genuinely useful. I’m really glad I picked it up.
Displaying 1 of 1 review