Unleashing the Olympic Spirit: Leadership Lessons from Phelps and Schooling for successful nurturing talents within our organizations.

By Sotirios C Ikonomou

During a recent executive meeting, where our team had the chance to step back and focus on the bigger picture, I shared my thoughts on the significance of leadership and empowerment within the workplace. By exploring examples from the Olympic Games, I aimed to connect these ideas to our own industry.

At the time of my presentation, the Rio Olympics were a trending topic, and one name stood out above all others: Michael Phelps. His incredible achievements in the pool had culminated in Rio, where he earned an impressive total of 28 medals throughout his career. From his early days, it was clear that Phelps was destined for greatness. He attributes his unwavering motivation to his idol, Michael Jordan. In an interview with USA Today, Phelps spoke highly of Jordan's accomplishments, stating, "What he did to the sport of basketball is what I’ve always wanted to do in the sport of swimming. No.23 is a special number and will always be a certain number. It always has been, and now, it is even more special" (USAtoday.com, 2016).

But why does the number 23 hold such significance for Phelps? In Rio, he fulfilled his dream by winning 5 gold medals and 1 silver. This achievement brought him closer to the number that Jordan proudly wore for so many years—23 gold medals to his name.

All of us, at some point in our careers, have had role models whom we admire professionally. As we progress in our jobs and establish ourselves, we not only continue to admire our peers but also become admired and respected ourselves. This comes with the responsibility of not letting down those who look up to us, and of representing our beliefs with passion and pride. In doing so, we demonstrate the kind of culture we want to foster within our company and teams.

Phelps, in turn, became an inspiration to Joseph Schooling, a young Singaporean athlete. Schooling had the opportunity to meet his idol in 2008 when the US swimming team trained in Singapore before the Beijing Olympics. According to CCTV.com, "The 13-year-old Schooling met the swimming legend while the US team trained in Singapore before the Beijing Olympics. That meeting sparked Schooling’s desire to be an Olympic champion" (CCTV.com, 2016).

Eight years later, these two athletes crossed paths again at the Rio Olympics. Phelps was at the pinnacle of his Olympic career, while Schooling was just beginning his journey. Side by side, they competed for an Olympic medal, and in an astonishing turn of events, Schooling not only set a world record in the 100-meter butterfly but also defeated his inspiration, earning a gold medal and fulfilling his dream.

When we look at the photo of Phelps and Schooling reacting to their results, it's not immediately clear who won the gold. Both of them wear wide smiles, radiating joy. This embodies the spirit of agonism—an ethos that emphasizes the importance of the struggle itself rather than solely focusing on victory or defeat. The Greek word "agon" refers to an athletic contest, where the struggle cannot exist without the opponent (S. Chambers). Agonism promotes mutual admiration instead of conflict between rivals.

In the case of Phelps and Schooling, the victory of one athlete over the other did not diminish the significance of their struggle. Finding a worthy opponent in terms of talent gives rise to deep respect and recognition for each other. Phelps, the accomplished and successful athlete, concluded his professional swimming career by embracing and accepting the younger generation—Schooling—who had proven himself capable of carrying the torch forward.

Returning to our own industry, this relationship between two athletes, characterized by ethics and respect, serves as an excellent model for managers and juniors alike. Our leadership and management styles should be free from antagonism. By nurturing the talent around us, we can rise and grow together. Both in our personal and professional lives, there is no room for stubbornness, selfishness, or ignorance. Instead, we should focus on creating worthy opponents by investing in team spirit, professional growth, and personal development. Like Phelps, we should not shy away from celebrating our juniors' victories. In the end, their accomplishments are as much a triumph for us as they are for them—a true measure of success

Sources:

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