WHY EVERYBODY NEEDS A FORMER ATHLETE ON THEIR TEAM

Today I am commemorating the last year. It was a year of reliving the past, gaining new insights as an Enterprise Architect but also about the person I am, the person I want others to see.

I've been called many things over the years: "an acquired taste," "quite a character," "dedicated," "honest to a fault," "intense," and "opinionated." The funny thing is, I always wore those opinions of others as a badge of honor, as an astute observation, as a recognition of my individuality.

This summer I was lucky enough to be invited, as a member of #TeamNL_Legends to attend the 2024 Paris Olympics. It set me thinking. After watching the Olympics I’ve come to realize that most of the things I’ve been called?in the past stem from finely honed skills most (former) athletes have, and that those traits should be celebrated as assets to any professional team. It made me wonder, why do you see relatively few athletes excel outside the competitive arena?

Most Olympians didn’t become Olympians over-night. Most of us weren’t the most talented, nor the tallest, nor the most physically fit person on the team, instead we have a whole range of skills that sets us apart.

In any organization, love us, or hate us, having a (former) athlete on your team can be a game changer. We're not your typical employees, and that's precisely why we bring that little special extra bit of impact to any workplace.

What distinguishes most of us is the relentless dedication to achieving goals.

We are the people that have spent years, decades even, honing our skills, pushing ourselves beyond boundaries most people don’t even know exist. From a very young age we have the understanding that being exceptional demands sacrifice, dedication and a determination to succeed. We’ve spent countless hours of rigorous training, physical and mental challenges, setbacks and the constant pursuit of happiness on improvement. We thrive on a challenge, any challenge, and accepting mediocracy is simply unacceptable. When our target is set, we have an unyielding drive not only to reach our goals, but reach that goal excellently, even it might ruffle some feathers. This disregard for convention, the will to break glass ceilings is the very trait that allow us to achieve greatness for us AND those around us.

As all people, elite athletes know a thing or two about working under pressure. For me that would be standing in a revealing bathing suit (or tearing out of one) in front of thousands of spectators, and let me tell you that situation tends to come with some levels of anxiety. The difference makes the champion mindset; Thriving under pressure.

No matter how tough a crowd, how fierce the competition, how heavy the weight of others’ expectations, that pressure won’t break us; it fuels us. We’ve been trained to meet deadlines head on, harness nerves and channel them into actions and peak performance. Surely a huge asset in the business world. When the stakes are high, when the pressure is on, we excel. We’ve learned how to stay calm and focused amidst chaos, making critical decisions with clarity and precision. It is not just about handling high profile events; it’s about maintaining composure during challenging times, and steering people and organizations towards success.

Resilience and grit are ingrained in our DNA. All athletes at some point have faced setbacks, injuries and defeats. The things that set us apart is how we bounce back. We never let them define us. We are armed with the knowledge that each perceived obstacle is an opportunity to become better, each challenge is a chance for growth. Nothing is too daunting, and it gives us the opportunity to inspire others to adopt that mindset.

Adversity is something we use as a steppingstone towards success. We have a steep learning curve when it comes to failures, it allows us to become extremely resilient. We therefore don’t balk in the sight of difficult situations; we embrace them with determination, seeking ways to turn challenges into triumph. This behavior is highly contagious, it inspires a “can do” environment within the team, department and indeed the entire organization.

All athletes want to work as smart as possible, not necessarily harder; this doesn’t imply we are lazy, far from it. Time is as precious to us as to the next person. In sports every hundredth, even thousandth of a second counts, and that mindset is carried over to the workplace.

We're masters of time management and efficiency, always seeking ways to optimize processes and maximize productivity.

Athletes recognize what really matters, minimize distractions in order to not waste time that could have been spent on an opportunity. Tasks are strategically planned on the short term (local level activities), mid-term (European or World Championship level) and long-term activities (4-year cycle of the Olympics).

As former elite athletes, we understand the importance of being proactive and organized, ensuring that every minute is utilized effectively to drive the organization forward for reaching long term goals.

The funny part is, that most people seem to think that drive, dedication, spirit, grit, efficiency and relentlessness make us self-centered, or selfish. This is furthest from the truth. In fact, most of us are team players to a fault. We understand the need for a team around the team, valuing camaraderie and collaboration. We know that in a team we can achieve so much more than individually and that it is key to always support, teach and uplift our teammates. This mindset carries over in our professional careers. We understand that true leadership is about coaching; by empowering others to unlock their full potential. As former elite athletes we understand the essence of leadership by example. Through our actions and determination, we lead from the front, helping all to achieve greatness.

I’d never imagine that passion, resilience, leadership and a performance mindset could be a deterrent, but to some organizations it is. Of course, these characteristics might challenge the status quo, question processes and demand high standards, but it is all from the pursuit of growth. We’ve embraced continuous improvement and the necessary change, settling for “good enough” was never an option. We know what it means to be agile, what you can accomplish when you continuously strive to be better.

When I hung my swimsuit, these characteristics didn’t simply fade away; they continue to drive me throughout my professional career. I’ve embraced change and adaptability, recognizing that stagnation is in fact akin to being left behind. I’ve not been afraid to change, and change again, taking calculated risks because there is where most opportunities lie.

Giving the facts stated above it daunts me that many former athletes do not seem to thrive in their professional career, and honestly, I’ve struggled with professional success myself.

There is no denying that having a former athlete on your team can ruffle some feathers, but in the long run will elevate your organization to heights you’ve never imagined. A performance mindset is not a bad thing, it can turn challenges into opportunities.

So, love us or hate us, but consider this: Having a (former) athlete in your organization isn’t just adding a team member; it’s embracing a transformative force that can revolutionize your workplace if you are willing to give them a chance.

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