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For the first time, the world witnessed the first all-black podium in Olympic women's gymnastics history. Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade joined Team USA's Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they were captured in an iconic photo showing the power of black women in sports. This Olympics reached a groundbreaking milestone, with 50% of competing athletes being women and more than half of all medal events open to female athletes.
This year, many moments of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) were demonstrated. So what lessons from the DEI can we learn from the 2024 Olympics that entrepreneurs can apply to their businesses today? The short answer is plenty.
1. Take care of your mental health
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the world was stunned when Biles, the greatest gymnast of all time, withdrew due to “twists”, a dangerous disruption in the brain-body connection, causing the gymnast to lose track of where she is. is located. the air. She took a step back and let her teammate, Suni Lee, perform and then take home the all-around gold medal in women's gymnastics — a feat that Biles was well-prepared for and expected to win. Biles taught us that no matter what the stakes are, yours mental health must come first. How you can perform at the highest levels of business and entrepreneurship if your mental health is not in a good place? The answer is you can, but it's not what DHI would do either. If no one has told you today, here's your friendly reminder that self-care isn't selfish; it is productive.
2. Don't be afraid to be the first
While some entrepreneurs dream of being the “first” to invent or discover something, others feel intimidated when they find their niche or the zone of genius in their industry. When faced with the daunting prospect of being the first person to start or lead in a certain field, fear of failure or high visibility can make some entrepreneurs squirm. Despite the nerves and fear that come with innovation, it's okay to be the “first” at something and confidently step into that arena with a great idea. That's what fencer Lauren Scruggs did at the Paris Olympics this year. She became the first black American woman to win a gold medal in fencing and I'm sure she was nervous. But she came ready to win and kept her eye on the prize. Entrepreneurs who are nervous about entering the space of being “first” need to take a deep breath and know why they are there, then boldly enter their arena with confidence and focus.
3. Lift others up with you
As entrepreneurs, we wear many hats and fight for the success of our business. Whatever success we have achieved, we have not done it alone. We must always remember to give people their due the flowers and lift them up as in grow up For example, while running in the 100m preliminary heat, South Sudanese runner Lucia Moris fell to the ground in the heat of the day and was unable to get up and finish the race. As soon as fellow competitor Silina Pha Aphay of Laos finished her race and realized Moris was on the ground in pain, she stopped and ran back to make sure Moris was okay and offered comfort and support while waiting for medical teams to arrive. The business world can often feel overwhelming and everyman is outside himself, but the heroic and noble athletes at the Olympics remind us that as we grow, we must lift others up with us. We don't win if others suffer as a result.
4. Create value and differentiate yourself
Like most athletes who go to the Olympics, the goal is to win, and they know that winning requires them to stand out. Most athletes don't have a chance to stand out when other competitors are neck and neck with them. But Simone Biles certainly has. Having several gymnastics moves named after her, she reminds us all to be aware of what we contribute to our areas and how we can set ourselves apart by doing what others are not doing. Creativity and NEW are the name of the game, and incredible athletes like Biles show how our creativity can inspire others in business and entrepreneurship to imagine more.
Final thoughts
When it comes to business, we all want to be number one and become the entrepreneur of the year. But the best of the best in the world of sports can teach us a thing or two about how to get there. Lifting others up when they are down does not give your competitor the upper hand; give your competitor one compassionate hand. Creating value and being the first to do something sets a standard for others in your field to strive for more and reach higher as well. Finally, taking care of your mental health is not selfish; it is one of the most productive things you can do for yourself and others. While the Paris Olympics have come and gone, the lessons continue. Let these lessons seep into your mind and business and see where you go. Who knows, you might just get gold.