What an extraordinary Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 has been for Team GB. Finishing 4th in the medal table, with gold medals in swimming, diving, cycling, gymnastics, modern pentathlon and boxing to name but a few. Team GB have achieved 65 medals, equaling their performance as host nine years ago and making Tokyo their most successful overseas Olympics after Rio 2016.
As we celebrate Team GB’s remarkable achievement against all the odds, it’s worth taking a moment to ask ourselves what lessons we can learn from Team GB to help us raise our game in the business world.
Love what you do
Whether it’s Max Whitlock’s commitment to gymnastics or Helen Glover and Polly Swann’s dedication to rowing – all the athletes in Team GB share a passion for what they do. As the saying goes, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” and this holds equally true in whatever field you work in. The secret of true happiness is finding work that engages and fulfils you on a daily basis.
Believe in yourself
To become a World-Class athlete, you need to believe in yourself and your ability to compete at the highest level. Team GB are riding high on a wave of confidence with Jason Kenny achieving a record seven Olympic gold medals, making him the most decorated British Olympian. Self-belief is just as important in the business world. It takes hard work, practice and commitment to unlock your commercial confidence, drive your performance and achieve real business results.
Remember there’s no I in team
The sight of Team GB winning gold in the first ever Triathlon mixed team relay is proof of the power of teamwork. Every athlete in Team GB relies on the support of coaches, physios and their team members to help them become the very best that they can be. They constantly ‘raise the bar by adopting a process of “Plan Do Review” to achieve their personal best. Mentoring and coaching are equally powerful resources in the commercial world. By working with you team and following the Plan Do Review principle, you will be able to hone your skills, measure your performance and drive business success.
Persevere in the face of adversity
Tom Daley finally achieved his dream of a gold medal in synchronised diving in his fourth Olympic games, overcoming the grief of losing his father. The ability to bounce-back from hard knocks is one of the key traits of successful people. So when things don’t go your way – perhaps you lose a deal or fail to close that sale – be inspired by Team GB and pick yourself up, take the learnings and move forward.
As the dust settles on Tokyo 2020, we should all follow Team GB’s shining example in their quest for excellence and live according to the new Olympic motto, “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together”. Remember you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.
