What my Paralympic journey has taught me about leadership

The 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo will mark my sixth Paralympic Games. I have been with the national team for more than 25 years, proudly representing Germany in nearly 300 matches and bringing home a bronze medal from London in 2012. I feel humbled to have this experience. I’ve learned so much from it that its hard to boil down to just a few words, but here’s my best shot.

1.????Always play to win

Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to perform at a high level. Whether in sports, business, or at home with my family, I always try to give it my best and I have a hard time accepting anything less. I was born with muscular dystrophy in both legs, but I have never accepted that as a limit. Instead I have always pushed myself to win in whatever I do: to give my absolute best no matter the circumstances. That’s why I am so passionate about Bayer’s membership in “The Valuable 500” or my own engagement in “ENABLE” our company’s business resource group.

This is as true for business as it is on the court. In sports, you are measured by wins and losses. In business, there’s a wider set of KPIs to evaluate performance: how your business is growing, how you’re serving, how engaged your employees are, and how you’re innovating as a few examples. It can be hard to make performance tangible, but we all know the sensation of winning: the feeling that you have given all you have to give and that effort is paying off in the result. I find that feeling incredibly motivating.

2.????Win as a team

Sitting volleyball is also all about teamwork. You need to rely on your teammates to be in the right position, make the right contact and communicate effectively. It’s about trusting each other. During the quarterfinals against the Chinese national team in 2012 my team experienced what it means to show trust in the capabilities of others. We were down 2-0 and had our backs against the wall. But we trusted each other and rallied to win three consecutive sets and the match.?

Trust does not depend on who your teammates are how talented they are. Instead, it depends on the relationships you’ve built and what kind of teammate you’ve proven yourself to be. Under pressure, it’s easy to start pointing fingers. But it is in exactly those moments when trust becomes so important.

On a team, everyone contributes different experiences, talents, perspectives—and even limits. Leadership is about enabling each individual to give their best, while recognizing the different frame that your teammates can do that in. Getting that right will make team members feel more comfortable, increase the chemistry of a team, and lead to results no one can accomplish on his or her own.

3.????Support others and accept support

People often ask me how I juggle everything. The answer has two parts. The first is that no one does it alone—and that certainly includes me. I am grateful for the support of my family, my teammates, and my employer. Without them, none of it would be possible. Having a strong support system multiplies what you can accomplish, whereas going at everything alone can subtract or even divide.

The second part of the answer has to do with energy. Whether it’s my career, my sport, or my family life, everything I do gives me energy. If you can surround yourself with people and activities like that, you rarely feel short on energy. Instead, it enables you to support others and realize a common purpose.

That’s spirit I’m taking with me to this year’s Paralympic Games. I can’t wait to see what we take back home. I’m certainly looking forward to lots of great experiences with top-tier athletes and coaches from around the world. Maybe even another Paralympic medal? Keep your fingers crossed!