Paris, Friday 26th July – a brilliant and not-soon-to-be-forgotten opening to the 2024 Olympic Games. The whole world has kept its eyes glued to the screen, witnessing some already fantastic wins.

The Olympics are a treasure trove of inspiration for leaders. Olympian values offer profound lessons on what it means to be a great leader. By taking a leaf out of these athletes’ books, leaders, executives and managers at all levels can improve their performance, foster a winning culture within their teams and be the best version of themselves.

“Winning doesn’t always mean being first. Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve ever done before.”

– Bonnie Blair, American speed skater, five-time Olympic
gold medalist 

Excellence isn’t about outpacing others; it’s about constantly evolving your skills and abilities so that the ‘you’ of tomorrow is always better than the ‘you’ of today.

Olympians are paragons of how continuous improvement pays off. By being dedicated to not just your own growth, but the ongoing development of your team, you ensure sustained success.

As a leader, you should urge your team to celebrate small victories and personal bests. This creates a culture where progress and effort are valued as much as the end result, building motivated teams that demonstrate excellence in everything they do.

“I’ve learnt that strength is about finding your way through
things and having that drive to carry on.”

– Hannah Cockroft, British wheelchair racer, seven-time
Paralympic gold medalist

Adaptability and resilience are the keys to dismantling obstacles. Challenges are inevitable, but leaders who stay determined are the ones who turn setbacks into opportunities – as Hannah shows us.

Soh Wooi Yik, Chinese badminton doubles player and Olympic bronze medalist, echoes this sentiment by reminding us that failure is an integral part of any process. “Every tournament loss is an experience because it’s for different reasons each time. We’ve failed so many times. But we’ve learned from that, kept our focus and worked harder.”

The most effective leaders I’ve met are those who see barriers as learning experiences, understanding that the strength of a team lies in its ability to grow from challenges. By persevering no matter what, leaders show their teams that with hard work and determination, challenges quickly become stepping stones for future success.

“Dream big, because my whole career, I never thought that
I’d be here. It proves that once you believe in yourself, you can do it.”

– Simone Biles, American artistic gymnast, four-time
Olympic gold medalist

From being the first black woman to win the world all-around title to becoming the most decorated gymnast in history and the first woman to land the Yurchenko double-pike, Simone doesn’t just compete – she pushes boundaries and breaks glass ceilings.

Simone’s journey highlights the importance of self-belief and determination in overcoming barriers and achieving greatness. For women leaders, this means daring to envision and pursue ambitious goals despite systemic challenges and biases.

With dedication and self-belief, even the loftiest of aspirations are attainable. Leaders who encourage and model this mindset cultivate a culture where all team members, regardless of gender, feel empowered to aim high and realise their full potential.

“Success is not measured by medals, but by the impact you
make on others.”

– Ellie Simmonds, Paralympian swimmer, five-time gold
medalist

True leadership is about inspiring and uplifting others. If you’re only invested in your team because you want to earn recognition, you’ll never get their confidence, loyalty or engagement.

Great leaders are empathetic, creating environments where everyone knows their worth. Not only that, they lead from the heart, taking time to understand employees on a deeper level so that they can provide them the guidance and motivation they need to do meaningful work. This is why emotional intelligence (EI) is the most sought-after skill for leadership roles today.

“I’m confident to say that if you want to grow in a
profession, consistency is the key.”

– Eliud Kipchoge, Kenyan long-distance runner, two-time
Olympic gold medalist 

You may be the most experienced or skilled leader in the organisation, but if you’re inconsistent, none of that matters. Inconsistent communication, changing priorities, lack of follow-through and variable expectations all undermine trust, morale and overall team performance.

Consistency is the bedrock of excellence. In the corporate world, leaders who demonstrate consistency in their vision, decisions and actions are the ones who promote a stable environment where teams can excel.

Just as Eliud Kipchoge is “strict about [his] work goals and training,” so must leaders be willing to set clear goals and adhere to them. Not only does this drive sustained performance, it also inspires teams to persist through challenges by knowing they’re part of a steadfast vision.

“Skateboarding is such a progressive, pioneering lifestyle.
It’s all about accepting others. We all bring something different. And that’s
what skateboarding is – diversity.”

– Dallas Oberholzer, South African professional
skateboarder, 2020 Tokyo Olympics

The Olympic Games is proof of how people from all walks of life can thrive together when they feel a genuine sense of belonging, trust and safety. As Dallas suggests, the Olympic spirit is the quintessence of acceptance, creating an environment where diverse athletes feel seen and empowered, which in turn enhances their overall experience and performance.

This approach holds valuable lessons for leaders in the corporate world. Diverse talent deserves more than just a hollow hire; ensuring that they feel a strong sense of belonging and trust, and providing a safe environment, is
crucial for their well-being and success.

Will it make the boat go faster?

Let’s revisit the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where the British rowing 8 secured their first gold medal since 1912 with a simple but powerful question: “Will it make the boat go faster?”

Each decision was evaluated against this question, and if the answer was no, the decision was no. This shared mantra of marginal gains kept the team on-track to success; when everyone puts in a bit more effort to make better decisions, it leads to significant improvements.

In the corporate world, this principle is transformative, driving teams to excel through collective effort. As leaders, encourage your teams to make small, incremental improvements in their daily tasks. Over time, these will add up to substantial gains in performance and productivity.

With all that said, I hope you enjoy these Olympics and Paralympics. Cheer on your country and share your favourite quote/s that have resonated with you from any of the competitors at the Paris games.

Contact me directly to discuss how Hanover helps achieve remarkable results through exceptional people.