As competitors across the globe prepare themselves both mentally and physically to take part in this yearís Commonwealth Games, former Olympic Medallists for the British and Australian rowing teams, Greg Searle and Drew Ginn, use the valuable lessons learnt in the world of sport to coach business heads about leadership issues and ìmental toughnessî.
Now on the same side at performance development consultancy Lane4, rather than opposing teams as they were in the 1996 Olympics, Greg Searle and Drew Ginn use their experiences as elite performers and apply their expertise to the realm of business.
Greg Searle, who retired from rowing in 2000 and is an account director at Lane4, comments, ìBoth Drew and I understand all too well the immense pressure contestants will be under whilst in training, and during the actual Commonwealth Games competition. What most people donít realise is, the same teamworking and leadership techniques used by sports men and women, can be applied to todayís business environment. To become a high performer, you must not only be capable of managing the pressure of the job, but must positively thrive on it.î
Drew Ginn, associate consultant at Lane4, based in the companyís Melbourne office adds, ìA successful leader in business must be receptive to challenge. Facing up to the visibility, vulnerability and pressure they might encounter every day, extract meaning and learn important lessons, including new skills that allow us to move on to new levels of achievement and learning. This openness is what develops a leaderís mental toughness.î
Mental toughness is a concept at the heart of personal leadership. It is a term taken from sport psychology and refers to the psychological edge that enables people to remain determined, focused, confident, and in control when faced with the expectations and challenges found in high performance environments. A good leader will in turn encourage and motivate people to work together successfully as a team.
In the same way sportsmen and women will be practicing mental toughness at the Commonwealth Games, business leaders must transform pressure into competitive advantage ñ the ultimate hallmark of a high performance organisation.
Former Olympic Gold Medallist Rowers offer business heads top tips on mental toughness
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