The Inevitable Olympics Issue

With the excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympics in the air, we’ve been thinking a lot about the power of mentorship and coaching (and a decapitated Marie-Antoinette singing with a metal band, but that's a different newsletter.)

Just like Olympic athletes need their coaches to reach peak performance, our teams at work can achieve amazing things with the right guidance. Sports analogies for work performance are common, just read basically any book about leadership and you will find one. The Olympics are really good at showing us the quieter moments, the unexpected, the underdogs in it all. It even goes beyond sports to the entertainers, families, and fans.

So how do people get to this far? Mentoring—really, really, good mentoring—and a supportive community. Let’s "dive" into the real-life stories and how mentorship is making Tahitian-sized waves in the Olympics!

Celine: Say No More.

One of the most heartwarming moments (and Jen's personal favorite) of the Opening Ceremonies was seeing Celine Dion return to the stage after a four-year hiatus due to Stiff Person Syndrome. Her secret? Intense coaching sessions with her vocal coach.

Yes, Celine Dion, the undisputed Queen of Power Ballads, she who sings the soundtrack to many of the biggest moments in pop culture, needed a coach. Her performance was a powerful reminder that with the right support and direction, we can overcome challenges that stop us from shining.

Same Coach, Different Approach

Leon Marchand is a French swimmer who just beat Michael Phelps' Olympic 400 meter record. Marchand trains in the United States under Bob Bowman, the famed swim coach of Michael Phelps. But Bowman didn't know of him or pick him at a meet, Marchand cold-emailed Bowman and announced he wanted a spot on his team.

Instead of training Marchand exactly like he'd trained Phelps, Bowman paid attention to Leon as a different person with different instincts, and adjusted training accordingly. Bob Bowman knows that success is a partnership between the athlete and the coach, and no amount of prior success means that the formula is set in stone. On top of that, Michael Phelps himself is supportive of Marchand and is frequently photographed showing his excitement. When your role models or mentors get excited for you, the world is your oyster.

Top-Tier Training

While we might not be training for the 100-meter sprint or the gymnastics floor routine, the stakes in the corporate world can feel just as high. A great mentor, like a great coach, provides the feedback, encouragement, and expertise needed to turn potential into performance. And Patterson Consulting Group can help! Read on here!

Ready to Go for the Gold?

Bring that Olympic spirit into our workplaces. At Patterson Consulting Group, we’re here to help you set up mentorship programs that drive success.

Go Team USA!