Be a Champion for Your Project Team: Lessons from the 2024 Paris Olympics

The Olympics hold a special place in my heart. Not just because I used to run track and even tried my hand at basketball, but because in 1996 I had an incredible opportunity to go to the Olympics in Atlanta. I still have ticket stubs in my high school senior book. I saw Michael Johnson's epic gold medal victory in the 200M, and even spotted Denis Rodman at a basketball game! My little brother and I had so much fun! There are so many lessons we can get from the Olympics.

The 2024 Paris Olympics have been amazing to watch. However, it is more than a global stage for the best athletes in the world; it’s a masterclass in leadership, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As project leaders, we can draw valuable lessons from the coaches and athletes who strive for gold, showcasing what it means to be a true champion for your project team.

The Coach is the Ultimate Project Leader!

In the Olympics, coaches are the unsung heroes who empower their athletes to reach new heights. Similarly, as project leaders, our role extends beyond managing tasks and timelines. We must serve as advocates for our teams, fostering an environment where members feel empowered to excel, innovate, and communicate openly. Here’s how:

Empower Your Team to Excel

Create a Vision: Just as a coach sets the vision for winning gold, project leaders must articulate a clear, inspiring vision for the project. This vision should align with the team's strengths and aspirations, motivating them to give their best.

Provide the Right Tools and Training: Coaches equip athletes with the best training and resources. Ensure your team has the tools, training, and support they need to succeed. Continuous learning and development are key to maintaining high performance.

Encourage Open Communication

Foster a Safe Environment: In the high-stakes world of sports, athletes must feel safe to express concerns and share insights. Similarly, cultivate a culture where team members can speak up without fear of retribution. This openness leads to better problem-solving and innovation.

Regular Check-ins: Coaches maintain close communication with their athletes. Regular one-on-ones and team meetings help in addressing issues promptly and keeping everyone aligned.

Promote a Fail-Fast Mentality

Normalize Failure: In sports, failure is a stepping stone to success. Emphasize that mistakes are part of the learning process. Encourage your team to take calculated risks and learn from setbacks.

Reflect and Adapt: After every performance, athletes and coaches analyze what worked and what didn’t. Implement regular retrospectives to reflect on project progress, learn from failures, and adapt strategies accordingly.

Identify and Mitigate Risks Early

Proactive Risk Management: Coaches anticipate challenges and prepare their athletes to handle them. Similarly, project leaders should identify potential risks early and develop mitigation plans. This proactive approach prevents small issues from becoming major roadblocks.

Empower Team Members to Highlight Risks: Encourage your team to voice concerns and identify risks. This collective vigilance ensures a comprehensive risk management strategy.

Celebrate Wins and Acknowledge Efforts

Recognize Achievements: Coaches celebrate both big wins and small victories to boost morale. Recognize and reward your team’s efforts regularly. Acknowledgement fuels motivation and a sense of accomplishment.

Create a Supportive Community: Build a team culture where members support and celebrate each other’s successes. This sense of community strengthens the team’s resilience and cohesion.

Olympic athletes are a testament to dedication, resilience, and teamwork. Your project team, like these athletes, has the potential to achieve greatness when guided by a supportive and empowering leader. As a project leader, your role is to nurture this potential and lead your team to their version of the gold medal.

Being a champion for your project team is about creating an environment where your team feels empowered, valued, and motivated to achieve their best.

I hope you are enjoying this year's Olympic games! By taking inspiration from the 2024 Paris Olympics, you can foster a culture of excellence, resilience, and innovation within your team, leading them to success.

#projectleadership #projectmanagement #2024Olympics

About The Author: Tareka Wheeler

Tareka Wheeler is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with more than 20 years of project and program management experience in the public and private sectors. She is a wife, mom, Senior Project Management Executive, Career & Work-life Strategist, and Podcast Host of the DNA of a Professional Podcast.

She often lends her voice and expertise to various podcasts and conferences, and Tareka serves as a mentor for professionals seeking to advance in project management. Tareka is also an author, along with an incredible group of leaders in project management. Discover a treasure trove of wisdom and practical guidance in Executing Excellence: Actionable Insights from 10 Savvy Project Managers. This practical, thoughtful book brings together a diverse group of experienced project managers from various fields, including construction, consulting, software, and more.

As founder of the career development and consultancy, T. Wheeler Strategic Solutions, her team specializes in empowering professionals and organizations to accelerate their growth and strategically achieve their goals through project management, personal branding, and strategic planning.

Tareka is also the founder of The Unboxed PM, a movement and community designed to reshape the narrative for women in project leadership and empower them to boldly take up space, obliterate gender disparities in project leadership, and secure project leader and executive roles.

When she's not busy serving, leading, and strategizing, you'll find her at home with her husband, spending time with her three children, or hanging out with her family's two fur babies.