7 Powerful Links Between Leadership and the 2016 Olympian
I have found the 2016 Olympics to be so inspirational on so many levels. As I watched and listened to the self critical analysis by world class athletes during their post race interviews, and analysis by Olympian pundits, I began to reflect on the many character traits that appear to be innate in many world class athletes.
I could see that these traits are none too dissimilar to those that we strive for and look for in a leader. And so for those who are leaders and are not training to be world class athletes, here are my seven personal and powerful links to leadership that I have developed having watched some of the 2016 Olympics, you will have your own thoughts I am sure…….
1. Repetition, repetition, repetition!
I observed the number of world class athletes who talked about the long hours and sacrifices in the pursuit and perfection of their craft. Mo Farah was once just such an athlete. A recent study published in the New York Times made the distinction between exercise, memory and repetition. The article is here : New York Times repetition boosts memory
2. Strive to be the best
I noticed that even though the 2016 Olympic athletes had qualified for Rio, qualification was not enough. Everyone turned up to win Gold. Settling for second best, in the case of many I saw being interviewed said that a silver or a bronze was not an option. The GB diver Tom Daly was determined to work towards the next Olympics in four years time.
3. Motivation and Focus
I listened intently to one ex Olympic athlete, now pundit, discuss the importance of motivation and focus over a sustained period. A leader must possess such traits and, if they lead a team, company, organisation or department, bring their team along on the same journey.
4. Resilience
The GB athlete Nick Skelton at 58 had made six Olympic appearances and during that time had suffered a serious neck injury. This demonstrates resilience and persistence in the face of adversity, and ultimately achievement of the highest order.
5. Defeat
The agonising defeat for the GB taekwondo specialist who won Bronze at the last Olympics, and this time a Silver, demonstrated to me the high standard that athletes set for themselves, and in the face of defeat, are still able to thank the people around them who had worked tirelessly to get them where they are today. See an example of this in this video here in this link: Agonising defeat Lutalo Muhammed.
There is no I in team!
6. Team Work
Not once did I see an interview where an athlete or a team did not acknowledge all of the people who had been involved in the preparation for the Rio Olympics over the years. It is clear that there is no I in team. For any organisation, department, company or otherwise, the support of others is critical in helping to achieve a goal.
7. Celebrate Success!!
I noticed that all of the winning athletes when interviewed took time to celebrate their success. They reflected on their achievements and bathed in their glory. So often in the busy corporate world and other ‘worlds’ one can be so busy moving onto the next goal, strategy or project that we forget to celebrate our successes. It is important to stop, and reflect, not to dwell, but to celebrate your achievements.
Those are my 7 observations of powerful links between leadership and the traits of Olympians that I have observed over the last week. I am sure that there are many more. Please share your powerful links with the Olympics and leadership. There is so much that we can share and learn.
Beverley Powell is a Leadership Associate: Organisational development, Inclusion, Coach and Mentor, UK certified Life Coach and Educator, and nationally recognised by the Health Service Journal (HSJ) 2014 as a BME Pioneer for her work around strategic inclusion within the National Health Service (NHS). You can see more about Beverley’s work on her website and you can also follow her on Twitter – @UKCoachLeader
Beverley hosts a region wide networking event for a group of NHS staff. Watch RADAR Networking for Success: Overview
