Sport not only gives you better health, but it teaches you business lessons along the way.
Recently, one of our directors did an open water swim race. It was supposed to be 3km but ended up being 3,7km …1:55/100m (pace).
What does this teach you?
That you need to swim straight.
Yes! But more than that for business …
Key insights:
• Communicate for direction: There are many people going fast with a sense of urgency but without clear direction and sighting. Leaders know the way but they need to have more sign-post communication along the way to guide the process.
• Check-ins: If there are only a few people pioneering the way through the water, you need milestone check-ins (more buoys to help guide the line to keep us on track). Swimming and navigating together (skill stacking) needs to be developed and until the skills are mastered, communication is critical.
• Accountability: Swim work with an accountability partner to help each other, have a coach/mentor/peer to enjoy the conditions.
• Set goals: short distances are more accurate for staying on target, setup targets within reach to build momentum and celebrate along the way.
• Risk it in training: Put yourself in a ‘dam conditions’ more often (outside of your comfort zone). The Practice in the pool (internally) is not the same as the race conditions with currents and waves (externally).
• Test and adjust: Founders are pioneering new products and services, keep the mindset of learning.
• Narrative: Self-talk becomes critical in endurance races. The story you tell yourself makes a difference to finish strong.
• Focus on the team: The dam is huge (circumstances) and someone who may not be as experienced, masterful or just facing choppy conditions may just be swallowing a lot of water along the way, not willing to put up their hand for help.
Wellness: Look out for that person in the “waves of change & currents of uncertainty” and support along the way.
Questions to ask:
• Is your team going too fast in a different direction?
• Do you have enough milestones and check-ins along the way? (Tracking)
• Are you backing a buddy/ supporting each other?
• What quick wins are possible here to build momentum?
• Are we taking risks outside our comfort zones?
• What story are your telling in critical situations?
• Are you looking out for others who don’t explicitly say that they need help?
Stay focused & ‘keep swimming’ with a strategy.
Enjoy the journey because joy brings better performance.
Written by Carla Wasserfall for Champions Uncovered Pty Ltd.
