Discover what the Olympics teach about Leadership Skills, Teamwork, and Success in Business
Olympic fever is in full swing, and even if you aren't an Olympian, you might feel like one as you judge from your couch, thanks to all those Instagram and TikTok memes. But let's put the "Splits on the beam, it can't be that hard!" commentary aside for a moment. For those of us in leadership roles, the Olympics offer numerous lessons if we take a moment to reflect on what truly goes into these spectacular moments. Here are my top five leadership takeaways:
1. Mental Health Above Everything
One crucial lesson is the importance of prioritising mental health. As Australian boxer and Olympian Harry Garside beautifully illustrates in his video, self-care is paramount. If you've seen the "Simone Biles Rising" documentary, you know that recovery is possible when you give yourself the space you need. Simone Biles has shown the world that taking care of yourself pays off. In the business world, we often push through, wearing our "busyness" as a badge of honour, ignoring that possibility that we aren't coping. Remember, even the best athletes take time out to look after themselves, and so should we.
2. Never Give Up
The Olympics are filled with stories of perseverance, like Steven Bradbury's legendary win. This year, the Triathlon provided a similar narrative. With 2500 metres to go, Kiwi Hayden Wilde seemed to have the Gold secured, but Team GB's Alex Yee found a burst of energy and overtook him just before the finish line. This unprecedented finish shows that with determination, the right attitude, and great training, success is possible even when the odds seem insurmountable. It's a valuable reminder for our daily business lives.
3. Use Your Time Wisely
I've previously written about the power of accessing the default mode network in your brain. Olympians are experts at creating calm in their minds and bodies during downtime. Take Stephen Nedoroscik, the "sleeping gymnast" from the USA, who visualises his routines in his mind, and does breathing exercises, during what appears to be sleep. British diver Tom Daley knits poolside, quite possibly reaping the benefits of it being a mindfulness and meditation practice in the process . In the workplace, we often fill our schedules with back-to-back meetings, leaving no room for essential downtime and training. Creating this space could lead to better performance and outcomes over time.
4. Teamwork Beats Working Alone
When you think of the medals won by your country, are they team or individual achievements? The Olympics teach us that every sport is a team sport, even the individual ones. Saya Sakakibara's Gold in BMX Racing was celebrated with her boyfriend's immediate embrace. Swimmers Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan showed immense support for each other's individual successes, despite their rivalry, which carried over to their relay team wins. No Olympian succeeds without a team of coaches, physios, support staff, and family members. In the workplace, leaders must remember that none of us achieve alone. Teamwork is essential.
5. Execution Becomes Harder When Difficulty Increases
Olympic sports like gymnastics, diving, and equestrian base their scores on a rubric of difficulty and execution. This is what makes Simone Biles the G.O.A.T., with five signature moves named after her that no one else could do before. The scoring system is similar to the business risk matrix: higher risk, higher reward if executed well. Playing it safe minimises mistakes but also the chance of winning. When did you last assess your risk appetite? Are you training for Gold, and what event are you preparing for? Thinking in these terms might help refine your strategy.
In Summary
Here are my top five leadership lessons from the Paris 2024 Olympics:
1. Mental health above everything.
2. Never give up.
3. Use your time wisely.
4. Teamwork beats working alone.
5. Execution becomes harder as difficulty increases.
What would you add to the list?
Author of ‘Meaningful Work: Unlock Your Unique Path to Career Fulfilment’, Nina Mapson Bone is a people strategist, consultant, chair and keynote speaker. She consults with boards, CEOs, founders and executives on bridging the disconnect between strategy and the needs, motivations and capabilities of their people. Nina’s executive career has spanned three continents and diverse sectors. She was previously the Managing Director of Beaumont People, where she led a period of significant growth for the organisation, during which it was recognised with multiple awards. For more information visit www.nmbpeoplestrategy.com.au
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