Lessons from a big time comeback

Let’s take a brief break for some worthy observations about American gymnast, Simone Biles.

Biles was asked about the (GOAT) necklace, and she admitted the goat was a bit of provocative goof, that she knew some people would like it and others would hate it. She said she couldn’t believe she was in the all-time conversation at all. “I still just think I’m Simone Biles from Spring, Texas, that loves to flip.”

A highlight among highlights of the two-week Olympic extravaganza will certainly be Simone Biles, proof that when you get the “twisties,” as we all do, what matters is that we get back up, and how.

From a leadership perspective, the “Simone Biles Effect” spotlights lessons in leadership. In addition to getting back up (resiliency), other lessons are:

• Know ourselves. Know our surroundings. Know our strengths, our weaknesses, the personal and professional, and our threats. Situational awareness is key to emotional intelligence, which in turn is key to sustainable success.
• Teamwork rules, especially in solo roles and endeavors. We are better when we get help from others who can help us to see and understand what we can’t see due to our blind spots. In turn, be at the ready to spot (help) others. Simone did this with her network of supporters and advisors in the period after Tokyo.
• Be ever optimistic and also realistic. Optimism is a force multiplier. Optimism is the secret sauce for seeing opportunities. After the struggles at the Tokyo Olympics, a lesser person might have thrown in the towel. Simone saw the opportunity of tomorrow.
• “No deposit, no return,” as Rowdy Gaines, the men’s Olympic swimming medal winner shares with this motivational thought that, to get a benefit, effort (grit) must be made.
• Be grateful. In Simone’s response to her success, she demonstrates humility and gratitude. “I am who I am.” We are all the sum total of our life’s experiences.

And:

• Be flexible and agile. Pivot to opportunities. See how I did that? #BeSimone as an inspiration!

Clark P. Dumont, APR, Fellow PRSA, is a journalist turned communications professional and organizational leader with experience in health care, aerospace and defense, travel and hospitality and nonprofit organization leadership. A native Granite Stater, he is a NH Business Review New Hampshire 200 Leader.