Expertise

Coaches and leaders are so often assumed to be experts. However, what is expertise and is there more than one kind?

It is generally regarded that expertise consists of those characteristics, skills and knowledge of a person that distinguishes them from novices and less experienced people. In many domains there are objective measures of performance capable of distinguishing experts from novices: expert medical specialists are more likely to diagnose a disease correctly; expert outdoor leaders are more likely to assess a risk accurately and so on.

Expertise implies a capability toward skilful physical, cognitive and meta-cognitive behaviours; an organised body of knowledge that is deep and contextualised; retrieving and applying knowledge flexibly to a new problem or new knowledge to existing problems; and an ability to notice patterns of information in a novel situation (Bransford, Brown & Cocking, 2000).

The concept of adaptive expertise is concerned with the idea that people who have had extensive, purposeful and varied experiences of doing something (which includes intellectual, physical, emotional and social undertakings) are capable of responding to novel unstructured situations skilfully and successfully (Fazey, Fazey & Fazey, 2005). This element may be recognised in leadership practitioners who are able to act more flexibly when problem solving in complex, ambiguous and unpredictable environments. Such flexible performance is one of the characteristics that can distinguish an expert from a novice (Bransford, Brown & Cocking, 2000). More over it is what sets apart different types of expert (Hatano & Inagaki 1986). This notion could have important implications for those who are acting within the endlessly varying, dynamic conditions that can occur on the sea.

Have you reviewed what kind of expert you are?

Going Solo

Solo journeys, be it on the sea, in the mountains or just through a forest can be deeply rewarding experiences and I would encourage anyone to do it within their range of experience. For me, there is that enhanced sense of awareness of and being in-tune with your suroundings. Not only from the perspective of risk taking but also from the view of enlightenment. It is possible that on the journey outwards, you travel along the road inwards. Taking the chance to be lost in your thoughts whilst being absorbed in the environment really can bring about moments of clarity that are otherwise lost in the hubbub of existence.

There are those who think such an activity is fool hardy, selfish and down right irresponsible. Encouraging others to do so is even worse lest we are somehow made responsible for their mishaps. Yet here is the thing, the media is not full stories of people meeting a sad or unforeseen demise. For sure there are always examples of 'heroes and fools' on epic adventures. Perhaps the heroes are those who know when to turn back or ask for help. Maybe the fools just stayed out one hour too long. However, there are plenty of folk who just go out there, make sound judgements about the day and come back safely which may just inspire others to try. There are things to consider - what are the consequences if things going wrong; who might it affect; what are you hoping to gain; what might you find out about yourself?

If you investigate the thoughts of fellow travellers who seek the solo experience, there are certain commonalities. They speak of a sense of independence, facing unknown challenges, simplicity, self-empowerment and searching for freedom. However, as Wendy Killoran puts it, 'though I enjoy solitude, I am not a solitary person'. Its not about being alone, its about having the space to move.

Go out there and discover........the world is waiting to be seen.

Amazing People - Freya Hoffmeister

For those of you yet to experience Freya Hoffmeister, here are some insights I have gained over the last few months since getting to know the 'Lady in Black'. Despite having heard stories of this amazing person, I had only met her briefly at what was once the Anglesey Sea & Surf Centre. That chance meeting was memorable enough that when I began to organise the 1st UK Storm Gathering, Freya was an obvious choice as a guest coach. Not only for her expert knowledge on Greenland Style rolling techniques but also, as my good friend Pete Jones remarked, to add to glamour to the proceedings.

During the event Freya ran a number of rolling classes as well as doing some demo sessions on performance Inuit rolling for a local school group. Every student under Freya's tutelage came away beaming that they had accomplished several rolls as well as praising her calm and clear coaching manner. She was always first on the water and last off to ensure everyone got a far share of her time which takes some dedication in the turgid waters of Fionnphort harbour.

Yes, Freya still likes to wear mostly black but on occasion, off the water, she was spotted wearing clothing of a less stealth like nature. Her entry in to the Keel Row (Fionnphort's only pub) each evening caused many a man to consider forsaking his vows! Does that make her a woman to be wary of? I don't think so. Magnificent and entertaining is more likely with the ability to be charming and teutonic at the same time! She is clearly a fun loving yet hard working individual, you'd have to be to maintain that lifestyle (and enormous mobile home).

Freya has reached a certain status in the sea kayaking world which makes her the current 'femme de jour'. Rocpool Kayaks have produced what will surely become Freya's signature kayak - the Underground . Sea Kayaker magazine has written about her and soon we will all see Freya in This Is The Sea 3 . You can learn more about Freya's global activities through her blog . She happens to make a really good folding kayak trolley