As founder of nextgenify and a recognised expert in future-fit organisations, leadership, transformation and innovation, Cherie Mylordis is passionate about inspiring and equipping leaders at all levels to amplify their impact and achieve extraordinary outcomes. In this exclusive article, she shares her thoughts on how we can apply the leadership lessons of the Olympics in real life.
Cherie Mylordis shares her thoughts on the leadership lessons learnt from The Olympics
But, behind the scenes of this colossal event is a planning and delivery team who will have spent years working hard to get the games to this point.
I know, because 24 years ago I was part of that team, and had spent five years working towards the delivery of the Sydney 2000 Games – which went down in history as the best games ever.
Putting on an Olympic Games with 206 countries, 10,500 athletes and 500,000 spectators is no easy feat, not to mention the complex web of officials, broadcasters, sponsors, venues, logistics and tourism attached to the event.
Yet every four years, the seemingly impossible happens.
My time as part of the Sydney 2000 delivery team taught me what good looks like in terms of leadership, teamwork, delivery and bringing your best self to work every day. Here are some Olympic lessons that we can all apply in our everyday lives.
Have a bold vision
Whether you’re working for yourself or as part of a team, having a bold vision means not shying away from seemingly insurmountable problems. With so much complexity in the world right now, every business is feeling the crunch, so rather than burying your head firmly in the sand, consider a big audacious goal or project you could get people to rally behind.
Even if you’re working with limited budgets or resources, you can give your team permission to think expansively about a problem and explore something different to the traditional solutions.
Ditch the micro-managing
As part of the Sydney 2000 Olympics team we weren’t micromanaged. Instead, we were given autonomy, encouraged to collaborate, and allowed to innovate. This approach led to the successful delivery of the event, and saw us achieve things I never imagined possible.
Within your own team or business, look at how you can provide enough freedom for innovation to flourish, while also providing support and guidance. Establish a cadence for regular check-ins and feedback but try not to be so rigid that you stifle creativity.
Encourage collaboration, ask questions, and be willing to experiment. This approach not only fosters innovation but also empowers your team to take ownership of their work.
Create a sense of urgency
Nothing drives motivation like a fixed deadline.
Just as the Olympic Games must adhere to an immovable schedule, creating similar conditions within your business can spur innovation and productivity. Whether it’s a product launch or a new business initiative, setting a clear timeframe and expectations can help your team focus and achieve more.
Without a sense of urgency, projects can drag on and lose momentum. By establishing deadlines and celebrating achievements, you create an environment where big things can happen, and your team can experience the satisfaction of overcoming challenges.
Prioritise innovation
You don’t need to be organising a global event like the Olympics to bring the same level of ambition to your business. But you could use the inspiration of the Olympics to run your own ‘innovation Olympics’ by challenging your team to develop fresh ideas that address persistent problems.
But also remember that successful innovation requires more than just enthusiasm – it needs structure.
The Olympic spirit isn’t just about sporting prowess (although if you’re inspired to join a team sport or be more active as a result, all power to you), it’s also about celebrating potential and achieving something bold and memorable.
What could you do differently to bring bold vision and new innovation to your work right now?
Cherie Mylordis is a Sydney-based work futurist who helps people achieve extraordinary outcomes and the founder of nextgenify.
