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3-time Olympian Carolijn Brouwer presented what she had learned about leadership, not only from her Olympic sailing competitions, but also from being part of the winning team in the Volvo Ocean race, a 9 month race around the world. She mentioned 3 leadership characteristics: 1. Lead by example. 2. Treat others fairly and with respect. 3. Be willing to receive feedback and criticism. She also talked about the importance of preparation and left us with this memorable quote: "You can't change the wind, but you can adjust the sails." #SAPPartnerConference2024

I'm currently diving into "The Right Kind of Crazy" by Adam Steltzner, and it's been a pretty good read. One of my favourite passages is Steltzner discussing his favourite Teddy Roosevelt quote "Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing". He goes on to elaborate "I feel very lucky to work on a scale that requires people to work together on teams. I appreciate team work so much that I've developed a rift on Roosevelt's quote 'that great work that requires many people coming together is one of the great prizes life has to offer'. To really participate as a member of a team, you have to bring yourself to the process. Bringing all that you have requires you offering up your opinion in the absence of an invitation. It requires self authorisation. You need to believe that you have the answer. You need to give it to the team, even if you only THINK you have the answer. It is a form of leadership and it is needed at every level and in every element within a healthy and high functioning team" #teamwork #leadership

This weekend was one I won’t forget. After knocking on the door for so long we finally became the Flag Football 🏈 UK champions beating Cardiff in the final!!! It was an incredible experience and, as I reflect on it, I realize how many parallels there are between our victory on the field and success in the workplace. In both sports and business, it’s never a solo effort. On the field, every play demands clarity and quick decisions. In the office, clear communication keeps projects on track and ensures everyone knows their role. Whether you’re throwing a game-winning pass or delivering a major project, you have to rely on your team’s strengths. Micromanaging doesn’t win games (or business deals) – trust does. Just like in football, things don’t always go as planned at work. Being able to pivot, adjust strategies, and stay calm under pressure is essential to achieving success. A championship win is celebrated by the whole team, just like a successful project or milestone at work. And when things don’t go right? Those are the moments that teach the most valuable lessons. 🏅 I’m grateful for the incredible people I had the chance to play with – and equally grateful for the amazing colleagues I get to work with every day. Together, we can tackle anything! 💪 #Teamwork #Leadership #Communication #FlagFootball #BusinessSuccess #UKChampionship #WorkplaceCulture

Effective leadership in all areas of life. Effective leadership with money and investing. Developing what it takes to lead yourself and then lead others is one of the most important and worthwhile skills in business and life. An important concept I learned in my Edinburgh Business School MBA class in Leadership last year is there are two kinds of leadership: thought and people. Upon reflection, I see it as a continuum. Extreme thought leaders don't do well with leading people and extreme people leaders aren't the strongest visionaries. And why should they be? You don't have to be the perfect all-around leader to be effective. It's more important to figure out what type of leader you are, what your strengths are and play in that zone. Delegate or ditch what leadership tasks you don't enjoy or don't do well. #leadership

There’s something I noticed a lot during the Olympics. The sportsmanship was incredible to see. And this is one thing we can apply in our careers. When a race or event ends, you often see an athlete who didn’t win immediately congratulate the winner. This could be someone from the same country. Or, it could be an athlete they don’t even know. For instance, in the 1500m race, the American athletes were both thrilled. One won bronze, and the other won gold. The bronze medalist went over and hugged the gold medalist as soon as the race was over. Was he disappointed that he didn’t win gold? Probably. But he was also genuinely happy for the winner. Of course, it can be frustrating to not get the result you want or, as a professional, the promotion you were aiming for. However, it’s so powerful when you can take a step back and celebrate when something good happens for someone else. Even if that person is a competitor. So, the next time someone else gets that goal you were after or is promoted before you, instead of feeling down, celebrate them. This will go a long way in fostering a culture of teamwork and genuine support among your colleagues. How do you contribute to this culture in your workplace? #leadership #accountingandaccountants #smallbusiness #business #success

Leadership is an incredibly important skill, comprised of a host of other skills. From the beginning of my career, I knew I wanted to be a leader. It’s one thing to lead a lap; but being a leader away from the track is something else and it requires a different skill set. Assembling and working with the team at Mission 44 has given me the opportunity to develop further as a leader. For example, I’ve had to tap into my teamwork skills to identify the expertise that different team members bring to the table, and to help them maximise it. Currently, our Motorsport Scholarship is accelerating the rate of change for the representation of Black people in motorsport. We provide funding, support, and unique opportunities for students from Black or mixed Black ethnic backgrounds, who are looking to follow their dreams and pursue a master’s in motorsport. What we’re doing as a team to lead change across industries requires communication, adaptability, collaboration, creative thinking and so much more. It takes leadership. We all have the potential to develop our skills and be leaders. Let’s keep at it 🎯 #MostInDemandSkills

🏆 Embracing the Spirit of Lewis Hamilton in the Professional World 🏎 As a fan of Lewis Hamilton, I find inspiration in his relentless pursuit of excellence, both on and off the track. Hamilton's journey in Formula 1 is not just about speed; it's about strategy, innovation, and resilience qualities that resonate deeply with my own professional journey. 🏅 Relentless Pursuit of Excellence Hamilton's seven World Championships didn't come by chance; they are the result of unwavering dedication, continuous learning, and a drive to push beyond limits. Similarly, in my professional role, I strive for operational excellence, ensuring that our strategies are not just executed but optimized to deliver exceptional results. Like Hamilton, I believe in setting the bar high and continuously raising it. 📡 Adaptability and Innovation In the ever-evolving world of Formula 1, adaptability is key. Hamilton's ability to navigate changing conditions and embrace new technologies mirrors my approach to business continuity and operational strategy. Whether it's integrating cutting-edge green tech solutions or refining our business processes, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. 🗣 Team Collaboration Lewis Hamilton often emphasizes the importance of his team. No victory is achieved alone, and this rings true in my professional life as well. Leading a talented team and collaborating with developers, clients, and stakeholders, I understand the power of synergy. Just as Hamilton trusts his team to provide the best car setup, I trust my team to drive our collective success. 🤝 Resilience in the Face of Challenges Every race comes with its own set of challenges, and Hamilton's career is a testament to resilience. In my career, whether it's navigating market uncertainties or overcoming operational hurdles, resilience has been a cornerstone of my leadership. Embracing challenges as opportunities for growth is a lesson I take from Hamilton's playbook. 🗺 Vision and Leadership Hamilton’s vision extends beyond racing; he's a leader advocating for diversity and sustainability. In my role, I am committed to fostering an inclusive and forward-thinking not only to drive business success but also contribute to a sustainable future. In conclusion, the qualities that make Lewis Hamilton a champion are the same that drive me in my professional journey. Let's continue to draw inspiration from those who push boundaries and lead with purpose. #Leadership #Excellence #Innovation #Teamwork #Resilience #Sustainability

Leadership is continuous journey.

The thrilling Montreal Grand Prix reminded us that, in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, performance is everything. But what can business leaders learn from these elite drivers? The latest Power Rankings reveal the top performers, but also highlight valuable lessons in: 1. Adaptability: Drivers must adjust to new tracks, conditions, and strategies - just like businesses must pivot in response to changing markets and trends. 2. Resilience: One mistake can be costly, yet drivers bounce back with determination and focus - a valuable trait for leaders facing setbacks. 3. Innovation: Teams constantly innovate and improve their cars, mirroring the importance of R&D and innovation in business. 4. Collaboration: Drivers and teams work together seamlessly, demonstrating the power of effective communication and teamwork. https://lnkd.in/g6c7EXbf #F1 #Leadership #Performance #Adaptability #Resilience #Innovation #Collaboration #BusinessSuccess #Motivation #Inspiration"

I’ve been thinking a lot about what enables people to excel. I’m doing that as my mission with Elevate Colour is to enable leaders of colour to excel in the workplace. Watching the Olympics, which I love, has made me think about it even more…the Olympics is all about excellence, just being there is ‘rarified air! However, it’s a misconception that the Olympics is just about talent…it’s impossible for any person, in any discipline, no matter how naturally gifted they are, to turn up and compete at the Olympics, let alone win. One of my favourite sayings is ‘hard work always beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard!’ Clearly, to even get to the Olympics, the ability to work really really hard must be in your nature. In her book, Grit, Angela Duckworth talks about how it is passion that unlocks the ability to work ‘Olympian’ hard. Add to that a big slug of perseverance/resilience and that’s where you find your Olympians. I suppose the lesson is, if you really want to excel at something, you need to passionate about it, not for the sake of it, but because the hard work required will be…Olympian! #olympics #excellence #leadership #effort