40 comments

• 

  Ron Ulrici

  10 months ago

  I think it is more about context - after you get more information about the culture, you can see how Usain's chest-thumping is acceptable. However, I still believe that your first instincts were correct when talking about the concept of chest-thumping in the business environment. When I deserved a pat on the back at work and didn't get it, I went home and thumped my chest in private (I got a lot of bruises that way).
  reply
• 

  Frank Roche

  10 months ago

  Ron, I came from a household that emphasized "look like you've been there before," so that was my initial reaction. Chest thumping wouldn't work. But in the cultural context, as you say, it's perfectly appropriate.
  
  I always like having my eyes opened. In business, chest thumping wouldn't work...at least not in that way. High fives all around? Ringing the bell? You bet. That way everyone is in on the actions.
  
  One of my favorite business leaders in the world used to come out of his office when one of his people sold something big or had a great success. He'd get others out there too...and he'd applaud their effort. It was great and it was emotional. I'd do anything just for that.
  reply
• 

  iConJohn

  10 months ago

  I want to go to Jamaica and drink Red Stripe with Usain Bolt on Eroll Flynn's plantation.
  reply
• 

  Frank Roche

  10 months ago

  I'm with you, brother. And, I'd like to hang out at Johnny Cash's place for a while, too. Have been to Jamaica a few times...love it.
  reply
• 

  Totally Consumed

  10 months ago

  Meh ... no matter what culture you are from, running hard till the race is over, being respectful of your competitors and being gracious in winning are signs of a true champion.
  
  Usain Bolt is a great sprinter, but he is definitely NOT an example of great sportsmanship.
  reply
• 

  Belle Black

  10 months ago

  Being from the Caribbean I was a bit shocked when I realised that the Americans thought Bolt’s behaviour was offensive. That they judged his behaviour based on American’s standard of what is or isn’t offensive and not in the context of him being Jamaican and Jamaicia’s culture was a bit funny to hear.
  reply
• 

  Frank Roche

  10 months ago

  Hi Belle, I think that's the lesson for everyone. For Jamaicans, it was a source of pride. From an American sportmanship persepctive, it looked self-serving. It's all about worldview. The beautiful thing is the sharing of ideas...and everyone wins. I like that. I learned something new today. And I think about what Jamaicans say: Irie, mon. It's all good.
  reply
• 

  Shawn

  10 months ago

  I\'m Trinidadian but I celebrated this victory as though I was a Jamaican. Bolt’s record breaking race was not only a Jamaican victory but a West Indian victory. The \"chest thumping\" made it even much better!! Bolt broke the WR so let him celebrate which ever way he chooses. I have been watching the replay a few times a day ever since. Bolt’s performance gave me a lot of pride even though he big up his chest while crossing the finishing…I only wish he had chosen to do the Willie Bounce instead.
  reply
• 

  djvenom

  10 months ago

  Its not a taunt. this is how jamaicans and possible caribbean people react at victory. We beat our chest bang things from pot cover to drums u name it.Embracing yourself doesnt mean lack of respect for others. People want him to act like a European where he should finish the race clap to himself and cry with a serious face , Bolt is being himself a true Jamaican and we are proud of that.
  reply
• 

  CLAUDETTE

  10 months ago

  Everyone out there, please don't over react and analyze this thing to death. Bolt is a 21 year old kid, still finding himself. He did a good job and I think he probably surprised himself a bit. (He did comment that he had no idea is was going so fast). So he thumped his chest and celebrated ..I've seen american winners in past events display very "cocky" behaviour..are they allowed to display, but no one else. And maybe they only reason the others don't celebrate before they get to the tape is because they dare not...they have to hustle to the very end. Bolt did not have to...don't hold that against him Congrats Bolt, your hard work is paying off. For the rest of us, let us find something we can do well, and do it...maybe then we would have a reason to celebrate too.
  reply
• 

  Sheena Woodburn

  10 months ago

  Culture is generally defined as the norms, practices and beliefs of a society. As a Jamaican I was filled with joy and a renewed sense of pride to see our very own athlete perform so well...the beating of the chest is culturally accepted as a form of celebration...Let us have our time in the spotlight we have earned it. With all the crime and violence and economic hardships that we are currently plagued with Bolt has shown many youths another avenue through which to vent their frustrations which is through greatness.
  reply
• 

  rick

  10 months ago

  As long as we are insisting on taking an athelet's actions and relate it to a corporate environment to make a point, lets consider the following:
  
  he did not just win the race against the best sprinters in the world but he obliterated the field and the world record. While I might have waited until the race was officially over to celebrate, I would be celebrating too.
  
  In my opinion he did nothing to show up his fellow racers, the gestuture was internally focused.
  
  Froma corporate standpoint even if he was American I would recognize his youth and perhaps take this as mentoring moment to help him undersatnd the beuty of acting like he has been there before which is a very good lesson for young associates
  
  Lastly, damn he is fast
  reply
• 

  Marcie @ BullsEye

  10 months ago

  That's why I love HR, there are lessons everywhere!
  When it comes to the boardroom and business, successful professionals must learn to observe the culture in which they operate and assimilate as necessary.
  Sometimes all it takes is one experience to make us recognize that our actions, although instinctive for us, might detract from the outcomes we really want. I don't think he was thinking that his actions might offend or alienate some.
  I look at it this way: Many new employees don't come to our organizations with the fullest awareness of the cultural norms they are expected to maintain. If we see talent and know there is long term potential we don’t cast them aside, we work with them and help them through leadership, mentoring or even etiquette programs, so (s)he learns to play by the rules...at least in public.
  In Bolt's case, I am confident with some off-track coaching we can turn this champion too into a "sportsman", well aware of the spoken and unspoken rules of the game.
  I still want him on my team, though, since I know his performance inspired the Jamaican women sprinters to run their hearts out the very next day and take the top three medals in the 100m. A first in Olympics history! We will save the pay equity discussion for another time though since I know those ladies won’t attract the endorsements that Bolt will. (;>
  Now if he continues to win and celebrates wildly all the time, I might have to think about it some more!
  reply
• 

  Marcie @ BullsEye

  10 months ago

  Rick,
  
  We are so on the same page!
  Marcie
  reply
• 

  Audrey Anderson

  10 months ago

  When I heard the adverse US comments about Usain's chest thump I was absolutely amazed that it could be interpreted as a sign of disrespect to his fellow competitors! At first I put the US comments down to mere pique since their athletes had failed to get the gold, and they had never raised concerns re similar actions by US athletes in the past. However I think I need to explain that Jamaicans are a proud people and Usain was then on top of the world and was essentially saying "l've achieved this great feat and I've done it for Jamaica!" Also, Usain and Asafa are great friends so he would never have wanted to disrespect ("diss")him or the others in the race - see even his wonderful gesture to Russian steeplechase champ Gulnara Galkina-Samitova (giving her a bunch of flowers to encorage her to go for gold and telling her pass it on to some one else after she had won). That's not the action of a showboater or someone who disrespects his fellow competitors! This is a great young man of whom we are well proud - Let's not try to pull him down!
  reply
• 

  Ben

  10 months ago

  Having spent my early in Jamaica. I've on occassion ran against a few of the top runners from Calabar H.S. It was customary then for the clear leader to "pull-up" so as not to embarrass us.
  reply
• 

  djvenom

  10 months ago

  if he slow down we complain that he didnt break the world record when he could. If he run leave them we say he embarass the rest , people putting usain in a lose- lose situation. But for me he is still the champ
  reply
• 

  Caddy

  10 months ago

  I think that they are alot of double standands especially with some Americans. They criticise Bolt for his chest thumping. I dont think it's half as bad as the americans who before the end of the race were looking at each other and talking. Yall need to look it up and see for yourself. It was Justin Gatlin and a fellow USA teammate. The male USA athletes are the ones who are known to show-off. No one commented about that, but as soon as a Jamaican did it they have a problem. Well some people just dont like when others try to celebrate in their winnings, life is so unfair.
  reply
• 

  Meg Bear

  10 months ago

  Thanks Frank for showing the courage to change your mind. I find that the most impressive thing in this whole discussion.
  reply
• 

  Jens G

  10 months ago

  During his legendary 100 metres sprint Usain Bolt was wearing an orange bracelet. The orange color has become a sort of ‘secrete’ signal to the world that there’s something wrong about the human rights in China. Also on the rostrum Bolt was wearing the orange bracelet.
  
  So the Jamaican elite sprinter has achieved to break a world record and perhaps at the same time denounce that the Chinese authorities have failed to comply with the promises they have given as a condition for hosting the Olympics.
  
  Danish artist Jens Galschiot is the architect of Thecolororange.net, a campaign promoting orange as the color symbolizing the human rights during the OG. He declares: I do not know Usain Bolt’s motives for wearing the bracelet, but we hope that the aim is to highlight the human rights in China. If so, Bolt has made an amazing stunt in front of millions of TV viewers in China and the rest of the world. Unfortunately he probably cannot say it openly, as the IOC might withdraw his medal, as they have emphasised that no political symbols whatsoever will be tolerated. So he will just have to say that he is fond of orange.
  reply
• 

  cee

  10 months ago

  I think the cultural context is important. If you read the news people in Jamaica were watching the Olympics from screens mounted in public places regardless of the threat of Hurricane Fay and when he won the pots and pans came out as people banged on them and danced in celebration. He was just doing what he had been brought up around and I so applaud him.
  reply
• 

  Kelly

  10 months ago

  Americans complaining about a lack of sportmanship. How hypocritical.
  reply
• 

  Rohan Northover

  10 months ago

  Congrats Usain, You have made us all proud
  I would like if you could use this opportunity
  to say to the jamaican "keep the crime down"
  reply
• 

  Renea

  10 months ago

  U guys don't see celebrating yet i wish u all could see the motorcade they had this morning in honour of the big man usain bolt. I wish u all could know him then u could find out that he is really a humble person and not one to be disrespectful to his peers or other people
  reply
• 

  cat

  10 months ago

  How come when Flo Jo broke the record back in the day n she celebrated before crossing the line or when Ato Boldon used to tear off his clothes after races he or Bob Costas never saw anything wrong then????? How come??????
  reply
• 

  DENNANGEL

  10 months ago

  I am not surprised by some of the comments coming from the Americans as much as i am disgust. Most of the americans are their athletes are SORE LOOSERS. How may times have we seen American Athletes bragging and behaving as if they are alone in the world, how may times, well i know its countless. The real problem is the performance of the JAMAICANS show up the true faith of the Americans and they dont like it. LISTEN TO ME AMERICANS, GET OVER IT, DEAL WITH IT, THE JAMAICANS ARE TRUE RUNNERS AND IF YOU THINKS THEY WERE ENHANCED BY ANYTHING IT WOULD DEFINATELY BE THE YELLOW YAM, CASSAVA AND THE STRONG CORNMEAL DUMPLINS. I am very proud of the Jamaica Athletes, all of them and u all should be proud too instead of critisizing. OTO BOLDEN eat your heart out with jealousy. Jamaicans are very excited when they work hard and achieve, Usains mother was just overjoyed and proud of her son and if she screamed and shouted with glow there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, i would do the same as a proud mother. This attachment below is a conversation of oto bolden and whoever his American buddy is, they disgust me. No matter what is said the fact is JAMAICA HAS THE WORLDS FASTEST MAN AND WOMAN IN THE WORLD AND NO-ONE CAN TAKE IT UNTIL THE LORD DECIDES ITS TIME, SO DEAL WITH IT.
  
  Read the conversation below between Oto and American friend.
  
  Ato, Ato Bolden ,thank you!!. You spoke as a true Trini. The behavior of the Jamaican athlete
  after winning the 100m sprint was obnoxious, disrespectful and had no class for the
  intemational stage. His mother's behavior when he won one (1) gold medal was deplorable and
  I, being a Caribbean national was glad to know that I am not a Jamaican. I couldn't believe that
  she went all the way to Beijing to be a national disgrace. I say national because the caribbean
  community lives in unity with each other and when something like that happens, it cast a
  gloomy shadow over the entire community. Imagine, Michael Phelp won EIGHT (8) GOLD
  MEDALS. His mother was at every event, and with such an outstanding performance by her
  son, she carried herself as a lady. I looked with disgust to see how the Jamaican woman was
  just plowing through the stands, pushing everyone left, right. and center, screaming like a
  banshee as though he had just won eight Gold medals. He needs to be reprimanded in such a
  way that will send the message to all who dare to conduct hislher self in this manner that it will
  not be tolerated. I know that if he was running under the USA banner he will be dealing with the
  consequences.
  Caribbean/American
  8
  reply
• 

  Frank Roche

  10 months ago

  All...I am letting the comments through even though it's clear that most of the people didn't even read the article above. It's just instructive...and in some cases, destructive...but we can learn. That's what I'm going with...and I'm not going to react...just watch and listen.
  reply
• 

  Leonie

  10 months ago

  Culture or not ...the boy ran an amazingly fantastic race...He made me proud to be a Jamaican so all those moaners out there give us a break. When anyone else run and wins, pump their chest, cry with dignity as the Europeans expects us to do, you don\'t hear anything or anyone raising the alarm...so today its Jamaica day, lets celebrate!
  reply
• 

  Frank...The Senator

  10 months ago

  From the blogs, I see the emphasis is on Usain's chest thumping antics... My concerns are slightly different, but all to do with his public image. While his unorthodox manner of celebrating surprised everyone, his immaturity and lack of camera etiquette manifested itself in his child-like "monkey face" grimaces into the cameras, not speaking coherently and, in the middle of an interview, stop to eat something... Someone in Jamaica should have predicted his rise to success and prepared him for such moments. Without giving up his Jamaica accent, he still needs to speak coherently. As a Caribbean man, I found it extremely difficult to understand what he was saying... Can you imagine what the rest of the world understood? Look at former West Indies Cricketer and, now, Commentator, Michael Holding. He maintains his unique Jamaican accent, with a cultured tone. Everyone on the Globe can easily understand Holding when he speaks. Yes, Bolt is only 21 and no Tiger Woods, but he still needed guidance in the field of public relations and interviews. He has to think about the real money in endorsemens. He is not an American, so he will not have that patriotic following like a US athlete. However, he would have a great chance to secure MEGA deals if his off-field behaviour was more main-stream. Do you remember how long Corporate America took before it gave big endorsements to the Williams sisters? They have an eccentric dad who seemed to do strange things at unexpected times.. It was only when he stepped aside that the endorsement came in.... Usain has to conform to the expected manner of behaviour, maturity, speach and etiquette associated with a 21 year old World Champion. Instead of defending his poor behaviour and speaking ability, Jamaicans should be assisting the young man to accelerate his learning of World Class Behaviour and Speach...
  
  Frank
  reply
• 

  Cadile

  10 months ago

  Not because you're from the caribbean means that you'll understand wat a jamaican is saying. Within Jmaica you also have different accent. Im fromthe city so you'd understand me when i speak. Where Bolt is from their accent is alot deeper. Ive been places such as the US and people cant understand me even if i speak plain english. Sometime the accent is too deep so it may not sound like english. Wat i do is to try and speak like the americans so they can understand me. Sometime wen i heard a trini person speaking even if they are speaking english i cant understand some cuz their accent is too deep. So wat u expect him to do? an accent is very hard to change. Neways i understand he needs to learn but he has time and no one is perfect he is just coming into the limelight so give him the time to learn
  reply
• 

  Ron Ulrici

  10 months ago

  Frank,
  
  So well said! It is no suprise that you are the honcho of a company focused on communication.
  reply
• 

  Frank...The Senator

  10 months ago

  I just reread the comments of the head of the IOC, Jacques Rogge. Rogge felt that Bolt should have been more congratuatory to his fellow runners. Rogge wanted to express his dissatisfaction with Bolt's post race antics but did not know how. Congratulating other racers in not the expected thing to do. Those who happen to be close by MIGHT get a pat on the back or some kind words. The ususal action is to wave to the crowd, blow some kiss to MOM, grab the country's flag and run a victory lap.
  
  It actually looks quite hyprocritical of Rogge not to comment on what happened to the Black CUBAN winner of the 110m hurdles. Nobody; NOT even ONE participant congratulated him for his gold winning performance. It was a sad moment in the Olympics...
  
  Bolt is a young man who needs guidance for the role he must now play on the world's stage. Let all Jamaicans and Caricom persons join in celebration of this man who has made us all proud.
  
  Frank
  reply
• 

  Marcia @ BullsEye

  10 months ago

  I very much appreciate the comments from Frank.
  
  I know also that as a Caribbean man, he fully understands and appreciates the differences between a Usain Bolt and the Williams sisters.
  
  No question about the importance of communication skills. I was an air traffic controller for 4 years and so specialized training in diction and clarity to make sure we met the industry standards was appropriate. Very similar to the type of speech training that radio professionals receive or corporate folks receive who might have strong regional accents.
  
  With training, professionals like Mikey Holding, Ato Bolden etc learn to perform on the world's stage and manage their accents. For Bolt, this too will come. I didn't have a problem understanding him, and realized that after one has just finished a sprint, clarity might be sacrificed for purly physical reasons.
  
  It's been less than a week and already we see an evolution as people learn about how to observe the strengths of a culture and put it in context.
  
  On the business side, don't forget that PUMA, a global brand based in Germany, has rebuilt their brand globally by focusing on Jamaican athletes for the last 4 years. They, as sponsors, might have other demands. They might want to showcase what they see as Jamaican rather than what we might want to see as Americans.
  
  It's part of our mission in HR to spot talent, and develop it to meet the needs of our spcific orgs. We should remember too that one size doesn't always fit all. What might work for a tech firm in Silicon Valley won't work in healthcare in South Florida. That's why mergers present such challenges.
  
  We will probably be talking about this for a long time to come and it's all good.
  
  Marcie
  reply
• 

  mickkyme

  10 months ago

  I bet if it was a Trini man you all would not say anything. Well the fact still remains Trini's does not like Jamaican's. As an American congrats Bolt.
  reply
• 

  Frank...The Senator

  10 months ago

  Hello Marcie...I totally agree with your sentiments. However, Mickkyme missed the points. This has nothing to do with the love between Trinidadians and Jamaicans... It does not even have to do with his celebratory antics. After all, the winner of the pole vault was flexing as if a body building contest and other winners resorted to unusual and child-like routines to express extreme joy.
  
  It is Bolts other unexpected expressions which are of concern. Grimacing into the camera, eating during an interview, winking up where ever and when ever, and his ganster signs are what will thwart his chances of being included in other events, off the field.
  
  Also, in all his interviews, those after the race and those done in Jamaica, he is difficult to understand.
  
  Most Jamaica musicians make no effort to be understood, so the trend may well be for all Jamaicans to speak only to Jamaicans and not to the rest of the world. Yes...Michael Holding is a great example of a Jamaican who understands the importance of being understood by everyone. The point is quite simple... The young man should have been schooled in the mechanics of public speaking, converstion, camera manners and public decorum and etiquette.
  
  If Jamaicans believe that those requirements are not necessary for the young man, then I hope they will share the responsibility for his not reaching his full business potential. "Make HAY WHEN THE SUN SHINES" is an axiom which is applicable for Bolt. Because of the explosive and highly tuned nature of this sport, his body has to be at peak and any injury can derail a career overnight. Therefore, while he is at the top, he has to capitailze on all opportunites to make $$$$ off the field. He has to be that Jamaican and Caribbean ambasador which has now been placed on his young head. STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT... Let us all help this young man to be the best he can while it is his moment in the sun.... or rather, on the world stage.
  reply
• 

  Cadile

  10 months ago

  So i guess a cuban musician should sing english so that an english man would be understood. We Jamaicans love our culture which makes us unique. Alot of foreigners are seeking to learn our creole. Neways stop bashing the young man he will soon learn. Not everyone learns so quickly when thrown into the limelight, plus some jamaican accent is hard to understand especially if they are fro the country, believe me im from the city and i have to listen carefully so i can understand some of them.
  reply
• 

  CB

  10 months ago

  Sportsmanlike behaviour =
  
  Taking performance enhancing drugs
  
  Getting a DUI
  (Michael Phelps but it was brushed off because he was just a kid!)
  I guess in the US 21 is a kid but not in Jamaica
  
  The Jamaicans were so much fun to watch - like the girl who did the dutty wine head roll for the camera BEFORE the race!!
  
  Lighten up - have some fun - I hear it makes you run faster
  
  Trini
  reply
• 

  CB

  10 months ago

  Also, leave Ato alone. He is the same one who expects much greater things to come from Bolt and called him the "new technology" in track and field.
  
  Ato will be the first person to admit that he talks a lot - that's just how he is - and he says what's on his mind.
  
  I also don't think Ato is in any way jealous of Bolt. Ato was never a sprinter in many eyes because he did not have the body of a 'sprinter' - as a matter of fact, his first love was football and he started running very late. But for someone who was not a sprinter, he certainly showed a thing or 2 by winning four (4) Olympic medals (2 silver, 2 bronze) so Ato, more than anyone else, should understand Bolt's position because people are saying the same thing about Bolt, that his body is not that of a sprinter.
  
  So don't hold it against him - I'm sure he means well and would like Mr. Bolt to keep every option open and not sabotage himself in any way.
  reply
• 

  natasha

  10 months ago

  Has a person who resides in the UK. I find Ato Boldon comment toward Bolt to be a case of Jealously. I watched an interview with Bolt today and the young lad was well spoken and easily understood. Every nations speaks in their language and no one criticise, why if he speaks in is dialect someone got to criticise. People remember none of the caribbean island likes Jamaican. God bless that little island and all their althletes who have done them well. People like Ato boldon should be banned from the island. He had is opportunity in life, let the young lad enjoy his. Ato was not a great athlete anyway, he could not do what Bolt has done. He needs to shut is big lips.
  reply
• 

  dwight

  10 months ago

  people speak of him eating during an interview. but if any of you know what the team goes through to hide bolt so he can get a moment by himself. if he is to wait until the media is off his case he wouldnt eat till he was back in Jamaica. Blame them journalist who dont se the importance of a man having 5 minutes to eat without bombarding him with questions. Ato again tek weh youself
  reply