CEO of First Direct and Performance Director of British Swimming discuss resilience, managing uncertainty, talent development under pressure, and the power of purpose in businesses and athletes. They also delve into creating the right environment for individuals to thrive and addressing small behavioral issues in a team.
Resilience is crucial in both sport and business, allowing individuals to surpass their dreams and expectations.
Having a clear purpose drives behavior and sets businesses apart, creating a legacy and leaving a positive impact.
Creating a supportive environment, providing clarity, and empowering individuals fosters resilience and growth in both sport and business.
Deep dives
Resilience and Centering Yourself
Resilience is described as the ability to stand still, center oneself, and think about the best course of action. This quality is seen as essential in both sport and business, allowing individuals to go beyond their dreams and expectations. An example of resilience is given in the story of a coach realizing the importance of empowering athletes and allowing them to take ownership of their journey.
Purpose and Inspiring the Nation
Having a clear purpose is highlighted as crucial for organizations. Purpose goes beyond just making money or delivering good customer service. It is seen as a guiding light that drives behavior and sets businesses apart. Examples include challenging the unfairness for young people and creating moments that inspire the nation. Purpose is emphasized as a way to create a legacy and leave a positive impact.
Resilience and Dealing with Uncertainty
The podcast explores the importance of resilience in the face of uncertainty, using the example of preparing for the Tokyo Olympics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Uncertainty is normalized, and athletes and staff are challenged to find ways to be better at adapting and reacting to changes. Deliberate challenges are created to build mental and physical resilience, leading to a relaxed performance mindset.
Creating a Supportive Environment
Both leaders emphasize the importance of creating a supportive environment that allows individuals to thrive and be their best selves. This involves being empathetic, flexible, and empowering. It also means providing clarity of responsibilities and goals, and allowing people to take ownership of their work. The focus is on nurturing a culture that values and supports individuals, fostering resilience and growth.
Legacy and the Best is Yet to Come
The concept of legacy and leaving a lasting impact is discussed. The goal is to create a dynasty of high performance that goes beyond individual achievements. The focus is on constantly evolving and improving, not resting on previous successes. The leaders embrace challenges, make necessary adjustments, and inspire others to achieve their potential.
In this episode we talk to Chris Pitt, CEO of First Direct and Chris Spice, Performance Director of British Swimming. This conversation highlights the importance of resilience, being comfortable with managing uncertainty and how to develop talent under pressure.
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