The Power of Feedback: What the 2024 Paris Olympics Can Teach Us About Business Success
The Paris 2024 Olympics were absolutely epic—not just because of the amazing sports performances but also because of the lessons we can apply to leadership, teamwork, and feedback in business. Athletes like Sifan Hassan and Simone Biles showed us how crucial it is to have a solid relationship with your coach to achieve incredible results. And that’s something businesses can definitely learn from.
Sifan Hassan: Teaming Up Like a Pro
Sifan Hassan blew everyone away with her gold medal in the marathon and two bronze medals. Her success wasn’t just her doing; it was also thanks to her coach, Tom Rowberry. Their relationship is a prime example of teamwork: mutual respect, compromise, and constant feedback. Rowberry and Hassan worked together to find the perfect balance between marathon and track training. He helped her overcome her fears about the marathon while also pushing her to improve her speed. This flexible and supportive approach allowed Hassan to reach her peak.
For businesses, the takeaway is clear: creating an environment where feedback flows freely and leaders are flexible and supportive will help people perform at their best. Just like Hassan thrived under Rowberry’s guidance, employees can excel when their strengths are encouraged, and their challenges are addressed with good feedback.
Simone Biles: The Power of Supportive Coaching
Simone Biles’ story shows how important it is to have a coach who’s got your back. After withdrawing from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to mental health issues, she made a champion’s comeback in Paris 2024. Her coaches, Laurent and Cecile Landis, did things differently from those tough-love coaches of the past. They created an open environment where they could really talk with Simone. Laurent brought his technical expertise, while Cecile supported her with a compassionate approach. Their coaching style helped Simone not only overcome her challenges but also reach new heights in her career. It shows how good feedback can truly help you grow, both personally and professionally.
