“Trust the process”. That’s what Handré Pollard said when he was interviewed after kicking the match winning penalty to beat England in the Rugby World Cup semi-final in 2023. He slotted the kick in the 78th minute to put the Springboks into the lead for the first time in the game. The pressure was huge. The Springboks were expected to win by some margin, but the first half was a disaster, and the Springboks had to fight their way back into the game.
Long-term adherence to one’s process is vastly underrated
Pollard didn’t just slot the kick. He absolutely middled it. The Springboks went on to win the game by one point and beat the All Blacks by one point to win the World Cup final.
Handré Pollard did not miss a kick at the poles for the entire World Cup. His record was 13 from 13. This is exceptional – especially when you consider that most of these kicks were during the quarter-final, semi-final and final.
It’s clear from his track record that he thrives in high-pressure situations. Pollard has played in 32 knock-out rugby games in his career, of which he has been on the winning side on 28 occasions (while playing for eight different teams). That is an 88% winning record in knock-out games.
I would argue that Pollard’s focus on process, rather than on outcome, is one of the main reasons why he and his team thrive under pressure. All his process-driven training Monday to Friday, which includes a rigorous training regimen, precise kicking mechanics and mental preparation, enable him to have a high probability of successful outcomes on Saturday.
Jimmy Spithill, a professional sailor and skipper, said the following about process and outcome:
You are only as good as your process. And if your process is solid, then you will be consistent. And if you are consistent, then you will be good. But if your process is flawed, then you will be inconsistent, and you will be bad. So, you’ve got to focus on the process, not the outcome. Because if you focus on the outcome, you’ll never get there. You will never get there because you will never have a solid process.
When the going gets tough and you are in a high-pressure environment, you will fall to the level of your process. In the world of sport, a well-defined and repeatable process plays a significant role in success. But the importance of process extends far beyond the playing field. In the world of investing, a well-defined and repeatable process is equally crucial for achieving superior outcomes.
Investing is a complex and unpredictable game, where emotions and biases can often cloud judgement. However, by establishing a clear and consistent process, investors can navigate the markets with greater confidence and clarity. If you have a good process, you should have good long-term results. In the short run there is no correlation between process and outcome, but over the long term, that’s what really matters. Investment process is extremely important.
Short-term investment outperformance is overrated. Long-term adherence to one’s process is vastly underrated.
A well-defined and repeatable process is one of the keys to success for achieving superior outcomes in both sports and investing. Whether on the rugby field, sailing in the ocean or investing in the markets, the power of process is undeniable – and those who embrace it are likely to be rewarded with superior results.
