Can you learn business success from an Olympic Gold Medalist? I did and want to share that wisdom with you.
Hello, my name is Vince Schembri and I’m the president of the WOWzer technologies. I’ve always loved sports, especially track and field as I’ve admired it for many years.
I had the opportunity back in 1998 to meet and train with Robert Esmie. He’s the individual in the background there, the lead leg in the Canada four by 100 running team that won the gold medal in Atlanta Georgia. So, I had asked Robert, at the time when I met him, “What would it take for a guy like me to come and watch you train?” He says, “Watch? Come train with me.” So one early morning, I went and trained with Robert. He told me at the time that he actually trained six days a week, three times a day, and I’m thinking like, wow, talk about commitment.
What Robert focused on was basic fundamentals. He always talked about fundamentals with me and not only did he talk fundamentals, he practiced fundamentals. He slowed it down as well. One of the things that Robert taught me that morning was when he said, “You know, you know my coach Mike?” I said, “Yeah, of course I know your coach Mike. He says today, go this much faster.” Then Robert took his fingers and held them so close, I could barely see the gap between them. Then he says, “You know why he wants me to go that much faster today?” I said, “No.” Robert says, “It’s because that’s the difference between first and eighth in a 100-meter race. Check that out again,” he says as he holds his fingers close together, “That’s it!” So then, the difference between winning a gold medal and coming in eighth is measured in the tiniest of gaps. It’s the smallest of differences.
Can you imagine doing that in a 100-meter race? But what about paying attention to the small details in the businesses that we run? That principle applies to anything and everything, including businesses, including track and field, including how we live our lives. Not only that, he was training the mechanics as well. He would slow it down… He would watch his hands rise. He would look in the mirror and be aware of where the front part of his foot would grab hold of the ground. Because his goal was also to take the least amount of steps, so that he could go the fastest. You know, they measure everything. What about us as we think about our businesses. Do we measure everything? Do we measure all our numbers? Do we know what’s important to us as business people to bring success?
Robert knew exactly how often he had to train to succeed. He also told me that morning that he would not even go downtown because he didn’t want to get caught in traffic as he wanted to have a clear mind. Traffic jams for him was an issue. Robert knew how he needed to be mentally. Do we know where we need to be mentally? Do we also take the time to know where our employees are? People who work with us, where are they mentally? Because if we do know, then we create cohesiveness and a team effort. Canada’s team was a unified team as well. They all were in unison and that’s the only way you could win a four by 100 relay. All four must be hungry and going for the same thing, which is exactly what happened. Therefore, they won the gold medal.
Not only that, but they beat the Americans. That was the first time the Americans had actually been beaten in the final of the four by 100. But Robert didn’t stop teaching me at the gym as after we finished, he said, “Why don’t you come to my place, take a shower and I’ll make you breakfast.” Back at his home, he had photo albums of the Olympics and he showed them to me. There were pictures like the one that’s behind me now of all the four.
While we were looking at the photos, Robert paused, looked at me and said, “You know Vince, you could be an Olympic gold medalist.” I said, “Robert I’m 37. How am I going to be Olympic gold medalist? at what exactly, skeet shooting?” He said, “No, no, no, no…do you know what an Olympic gold medalist is?” I shrug and Robert says, “The best in the world at what we do. Why don’t you become the best in the world at what you do and then you’ll be an Olympic gold medalist.” That had a profound impact on me. Think about it, right? If I become the best at what I do, I’m basically an Olympic gold medalist in my environment. It made me think about the people around me. Do I also take the time and the initiative to help them be the best that they can be?
What if our organizations had that mentality as well? Can we become champions in our fields, just like the Canadians were in 1996? I bet you that we would and, isn’t it amazing that when we do, not only do we become the best at what we do, but we give others permission to also rise up as well. That’s what Robert was talking about because they all rose to the occasion that day. And they beat a formidable opponent that had never been beaten when they were in the final. Now, what would that be like in our organizations?
Also, Robert took it so seriously that he shaved his head with the words “blast off” on it because he was going to blast off out of the blocks. If you watch the race, he blasted out of the blocks and here’s the link so you can you enjoy the race. I hope that you blast off and that you start to think like an Olympic champion. And remember that the difference between first and eighth is always in the details.
Thanks for taking the time and we’ll talk to you soon.