I have a confession to make…

I love the Olympics. As someone who typically has an “ugh, sports” or a “yay, sportsball 🥴” reaction to any American sport, those who know me might find this remarkably odd. It's not even about cheering for specific countries, as many have challenges related to equity, and I often don’t want to cheer for a country that, for example, actively harms women or doesn’t stand up for LGBTQI+ people. What I appreciate about these games are the storylines, preparation, inspiring moments, psychology, history, and the cities that host the games, and so much more.

I’ve found that as I talk to people during the Games, many who generally aren’t into sports, like myself, can find something interesting in the Olympics. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, there are valuable lessons to learn from these amazing athletes from a leadership perspective.

The Olympics represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement, where the best showcase their dedication, hard work, and passion. Similarly, leadership requires relentless commitment to a mission, the grit to face challenges head-on, and the vision to inspire others.

As a leader, whether in nonprofit or another career, there are critical takeaways from these games that you can apply to your work.

Teamwork is critical. Olympic athletes are always measuring and tracking their progress; they know how they’re doing all the time. However, it’s never just one person doing all the work. Athletes have a robust support system of coaches, trainers, families, and fellow athletes cheering them on. Look at the USA Gymnastics teams — their performances are beautiful and powerful, but their teamwork and celebrations are even more inspiring. In nonprofit work, teamwork requires staff, board, and leadership to have a relentless commitment to the vision and mission, and most importantly, a clear understanding of what it is. This collective effort propels both athletes and organizations to success.

They practice. And practice. And practice. This is true for athletes, artists, and leaders. Do you think Celine Dion would have delivered her outstanding performance without thousands of hours of practice? Or that Katie Ledecky would hold seven Olympic gold medals without it? These talented individuals and the many who participate in the Olympics must practice in focused and strategic ways to reach their goals. Yes, this is obvious. The question then becomes, do you practice like a champion? Are you consistently taking opportunities to learn, expand your knowledge, engage a mentor, and take continuing education? Are you diligent and consistent in learning the skills that will help you succeed? Always keep learning at the forefront. Whether we win or lose, there is always an opportunity to learn how we can be better going forward.

Success is important. But so is creating meaning and a sense of belonging. It doesn’t matter if you have the best people or the most passionate people on your team. If they are not inspired, motivated, or are working against the mission, having the best people does not matter. While being successful is important, so is finding a sense of purpose and belonging within the team and the work you do. Leaders can inspire team spirit and foster an environment where belonging and purpose thrive. However, it is critical not to confuse belonging and purpose with direction and guidance. Leaders must drive the goals for the organization to achieve success, and it is the responsibility of the coach to guide the team towards success.

Faster. Higher. Stronger. I often have qualms with the speed, action, and behavior of the nonprofit mentality. I struggle when an organizational vision does not believe in the greatness of our people, the power of collective impact, and they often are stuck in a scarcity mindset. While it is important to operate within our means as leaders and especially in nonprofit work, we have to believe in our collective greatness. Look at how many nonprofits operate today: we look for the cheapest software that does not do the job, use leftover or old furniture, computers from 2012, organize with outdated methods, work insularly, and refuse to work with organizations that want the same thing. We will only move faster, reach higher, and be stronger when we work with collective impact and stop chewing people up and spitting them out. We must find ways to empower our community, accept new ideas, and champion social justice, equity, and positive change. Most importantly, our roles in leadership extend beyond organizational boundaries, impacting the broader societal fabric.

Love what you do. Above all else, this is the most important part of the game and our work. As spectators, we focus on the events and outcomes for the athletes. However, it’s important to remember that this event is not just the moment to showcase their best; it’s also the culmination of years of training and sacrifice. For an athlete, it means showing up every day, being willing to fail, and honoring their commitment to their coach, teammates, and supporting organizations. This dedication and commitment, all without the guarantee of winning, is why I admire Olympic athletes. As a leader, you have to care about what you do and deeply care about the people you lead and serve. It’s not about what you will personally gain, but who you will help and what you will achieve for the greater good through your leadership.

Be committed, but care for yourself. The athletes we celebrate today didn’t get here without knowing their body, value, and worth. You cannot perform if your body is not in sync with your mental health, and vice versa. Our physical and mental health must be balanced for us to be our best. Are you taking care of yourself? Are you eating healthy foods? Are you seeing your therapist? (These are questions I also ask myself.) To perform as leaders, our physical, mental, and spiritual health must be aligned. When they are not, we need to ask ourselves if it’s time to pause and realign. Knowing our value and how we engage in the world, whether as one of the world’s greatest or leading a community nonprofit, is vital. Most importantly, you need to know your worth.

My greatest hope for you is that these, the XXXIII Olympiad, will guide you to a greater understanding of your value, your worth, and how to be someone who leads with grace and love.