{"id":18086,"date":"2018-07-21T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-07-21T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=18086"},"modified":"2018-07-21T23:00:00","modified_gmt":"2018-07-21T23:00:00","slug":"2018-07-22-too-cocky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/2018-07-22-too-cocky\/","title":{"rendered":"Too Cocky!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ask Rolls … 4-way Problem Page<\/h2>\n

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Too Cocksure<\/h3>\n

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Hi Rolls<\/em><\/p>\n

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We need to replace a team member. There is one guy who is an obvious choice. He is a very talented new flyer who has learned a lot in the tunnel. He\u2019s always said he wants to do 4-way and has been studying hard the techniques for all the blocks, even though till now he is in only in AA, so did not need all that information. I really think he is someone who is quite special.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The problem is, he thinks he's quite special too!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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The problem is, that he thinks he is quite special too! He can seem very arrogant, especially for one so young. He will watch other team\u2019s videos and tell them what they are doing wrong, even if he has never flown that slot. Or just laugh at them. We tried him out in the tunnel and now he\u2019s telling everyone that he\u2019s on our team even though we didn\u2019t (yet) say that to him. He seems like he talks down to people, which we all try consciously not to do. Although we are the most experienced team on our dropzone we all remember where we came from and treat everybody as equals. He seems like he looks down on lesser skilled people.<\/em><\/p>\n

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I have a feeling this is just immaturity and in time he will grow out of it. I even remember myself being a little this way at his age as I was just so desperate to prove myself. But my teammates think it would make him worse if we ask him to join us. I think it would be at least worth a try; surely he has a lot to give.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Do you have any advice how best to manage the situation?<\/em><\/p>\n

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Thank you<\/em> Leander<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Hayabusa,<\/p>\n

Roy Replies…<\/h2>\n

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Hi Leander,<\/p>\n

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It is always a difficult decision to bring someone on board that is a talented flyer, which can bring the team to a new level, but at the same time is cocky and arrogant.<\/p>\n

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More important is, not the fact that he is arrogant, but the fact that he doesn\u2019t fit into the team profile. If you guys feel that the new team member should change his behavior to blend into the team dynamics, you should tell this to him, and than he can choose to try to adapt to it or not.<\/p>\n

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The reason why he is cocky is a whole different story, it can have many reasons. But in general, nobody makes himself popular by being arrogant or by thinking \u2018he is the man’! We all have still so much to learn, as flyers and as team players. Of course, there is nothing wrong with being self-confident! The most respected Champions are those who are humble and open-minded, people that feel themselves just like you and me and that never forget where they came from.<\/p>\n

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My advice is to talk with him very seriously about this topic and make him understand what changes you would like to see from his side, and that this is also in his own interest. I wouldn\u2019t make big commitments with him in the beginning but first see how it goes, and this I would make clear to him as well. After a while the team can evaluate the progression and take it from there.<\/p>\n

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I always love to see that (especially) young jumpers get their chance to grow in an experienced team; they are the future of our sport. Often we see, once they feel recognition for their skills, they become more mellow and open up. But talented or not, remember that having fun and feeling good with your teammates is much more important than reaching a certain average.<\/p>\n

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Good luck!<\/p>\n

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Roy<\/p>\n

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More from Roy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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