Karen Meager’s Post

The work from home phenomenon has been tough on both businesses, leaders and employees. I think the mindset of the most successful people on earth in their respective industries or events (Olympians) can offer a great glimpse into how we can approach a rewarding and fulfilling life. Here's an interesting take on what we can learn from those at the heights of their work; Build routines. Find motivation. Manage stress. Allow autonomy. Practice resilience. #noahlyles #simonebiles #kevindaleysmiles #workfromhometrials #culturedesign https://lnkd.in/ePVkvwch

What Corporate Leaders Can Learn from Athletes "post-Olympics" blues 🏅 After months, even years, of intense preparation and high-stakes performance, athletes often face a period of emotional and mental downturn once the event is over. This experience isn't exclusive to athletes; corporate athletes face a similar challenge after intense projects, major launches, or significant milestones. In the corporate world, we pour everything into big events—whether it’s closing a major deal, launching a new product, or delivering a crucial presentation. The adrenaline drives us, the focus is sharp, and the team is united. But what happens after the big moment passes? Like athletes, corporate leaders and their teams can experience a dip in motivation, a sense of emptiness, or a feeling of “what’s next?” Recognizing and addressing this post-event phase is crucial for sustaining long-term performance. It’s about managing the comedown after a high-intensity period, keeping the momentum going, and preparing for the next big challenge without burning out. Understanding that this dip is a normal part of the performance cycle can help leaders and teams navigate it more effectively. I encourage you to read this insightful article and reflect on how these lessons from elite athletes can be applied to your own professional journey. Whether you’re leading a team or driving your career forward, learning to manage the post-event blues is key to maintaining resilience and staying on top of your game. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e9Pk_WUJ #CorporateAthlete #LeadershipDevelopment #2024Olympics #Resilience #MentallyFit

As part of being an Olympic sponsor, Allianz had the responsibility of creating engagement and awareness among all employees about this partnership and the Olympic values. To achieve this, a couple of years ago, the company had an initiative where an Olympic athlete dedicated a few hours to talk about topics they were particularly familiar with, such as discipline, resilience, time management, and more. Unexpectedly, these sessions were a huge success! Employees were amazed by how much these themes resonated with their everyday struggles. We often view the Olympics merely as a sports competition, but the lessons learned from these athletes go far beyond the field or the track. They offer valuable insights into perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and achieving personal excellence—qualities that are just as crucial in our professional and personal lives. The sessions not only inspired employees but also fostered a deeper connection to the Olympic spirit, reinforcing the values of hard work, dedication, and teamwork within the organization. This initiative proved that the principles that guide Olympic athletes can profoundly impact our approach to work and life, helping us to strive for our best in all endeavors. 🏊♀️ 🏃♀️ ⛹♂️ 🤼 🏋♂️ 🤸♀️ 🚴♀️ 🤽♀️ 🤾♀️ #Olympics #EmployeeEngagement #ProfessionalDevelopment

Healthy Competitve Cultures are possible with these 2 things: 1. The attitude of competition. Or, the mental state of athletes as they progress within the set structure. Clearly defining a club or organizations mental focus for success is key when building the platform of competition amongst players and then as a team. 2. The behaviours of competitive environments. This relates to the emotional management and physical efforts that dictate athlete expectancies. Clear guidelines allow athletes to step up to and in to a structure that breeds a healthy competitive nature. Without effective and relatable policies and procedures athletes do what they think is right rather than investing in the culture of competition. #competitiveadvantage #athletemindset #sportscoaching #healthycompetition

Is Competition Among Colleagues Beneficial? As we celebrate the spirit of the Olympics 2024 this month, it's a perfect time to reflect on competition in the workplace. Just as athletes push each other to excel, competition among colleagues can have both positive and negative impacts. Competition can drive innovation and excellence. Just like Olympians who strive for gold, employees motivated by healthy competition often go the extra mile. It can engage individuals in a culture of continuous improvement, encourage creativity, and enhance productivity. When colleagues challenge each other, it can lead to both personal and professional growth, much like athletes who achieve new heights through friendly rivalry. However, not all competition is beneficial. It can sometimes create a very stressful environment and lead to unhealthy rivalries. This can result in a lack of collaboration, reduced teamwork, and even burnout. Just as excessive competition can lead to injuries in sports it can harm employee morale and overall workplace harmony if not managed properly. Ultimately, like in the Olympics, balance is key. Encouraging a spirit of collaboration alongside healthy competition can create an environment where everyone thrives. Do you think completion is beneficial in the workplace? Comment below #Olympics #WorkplaceCulture #HealthyCompetition #Teamwork #ProfessionalGrowth#balancedlife#collaboration#bemore#burnout

“Just love…I come from a place of wanting players to enjoy themselves.” - USWNT Coach, Emma Hayes ❤️ ⚽️ That was the answer Hayes gave when asked, “what did you identify that you were able to tap into to take this team from people on the outside questioning to the top of the podium?” 🥇 And, I couldn’t love her answer more 🙌🏻 Because the hardest - and most rewarding - part of being a leader isn’t: Setting the vision ❌ Making the tough choices ❌ Pushing the limits ❌ Rising from defeat ❌ The hardest part of leadership is, in the midst of all the ups and downs, you still create an environment that sparks joy 🤩 And, that goes for the workplace, too. A recent Forbes article shared staggering statistics that: Happy employees are 20% more productive in the workplace than unhappy ones 😞 Highly engaged teams are 21% more profitable 💰 89% of workers at companies that support well-being, are more likely to recommend their company as a good place to work ❤️ So the next time you’re missing goals or find your team lacking inspiration, take a page out of Hayes’ book 📖 and start by genuinely caring that your team is enjoying the ride 🎢 Congrats to the US Women’s Soccer Team for being back on top! ⚽️ 💪🏻 #leadership #growth #team #wellbeing #worklifebalance #mentalhealth #paris2024 https://lnkd.in/enZwiRVU

Going for the gold 🏅 While watching Simone Biles and the US gymnastics team reclaim the gold at the #ParisOlympics this week, I saw a parallel to the work I am doing with leaders - the pressure to achieve at the highest level often comes at a significant cost to mental wellbeing, and it takes a team to come back after setbacks. There are multiple athletes who achieved what we can assume were lifelong dreams to then spiral into depression or other mental health challenges not long after. Simone Biles, who dropped out of the last Olympics in Tokyo, is arguably the most high-profile example, but there are many others. For example, the Swedish mountain biker Jenny Rissveds (who just won an Olympic bronze medal and has spoken openly about the depression she experienced after winning the Olympic gold in 2016) and the Japanese-American tennis player Naomi Osaka. Their stories mirror the experiences of countless professionals who push themselves to the brink to achieve career success. The question is: Can we create environments where high performance and mental wellbeing coexist? Resilience isn't solely about individual grit. It's nurtured within supportive teams and cultures. Athletes and organizational leaders alike thrive when they feel safe speaking up about their failures, learning, and coming back stronger. For leaders, the challenge is clear: create spaces where people can bring their whole selves to work. However, and this is talked about less often, leaders also need to build a supportive team for when they falter themselves. This is what the best athletes do. It also means leading by example. Prioritize your own wellbeing. Practice self-care, set boundaries, and seek support when you need it. Your resilience will inspire your team and drive long-term collective success. #Leadership #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #LeadershipDevelopment #Business #WealthAndWellbeing

Life challenges us in various ways. Whether navigating life beyond football, the corporate world, a role of 15 years or making sense of the current chaos, we all need support and guidance to make fundamental decisions based upon OUR OWN VISION OF SUCCESS/GOOD/POSITIVE OUTCOMES. We are often guided by others success or the narrative of social impressionism around materialistic success. As leaders, it is imperative that personal development is just as important for you as it is for those around you. Focusing on your own wellbeing, development and mental health will allow your teams and overall organisation to hit those marginal gains never experienced through a sustainable, healthy model. Coming towards a festive period, take the time to refresh, detach from the day-to-day rigour of work or pressures and think about how 2024 can offer a revised, vibrant approach to collective ambitions where everyone can thrive in an inclusive, empathetic space. #unlockinghumanpotential HUMANISE SOLUTIONS #wellbeingmatters #mentalhealth #healthyhighperformance #leadership #teamdevelopment #learninganddevelopment #coaching #communicationskills #vulnerabilityisstrength #empatheticleadership Serena Guthrie MBE Helen Roberts Brendan Purcell Tony Strudwick Simon Blake OBE CCMI Elliott Ward Mal Brannigan Harry Spencer Gabby Marshall Nick Maites Emma Brierley Darren Howe https://lnkd.in/dmkFfFSh

Higher achievers are emotionally intelligent.  At least, that’s what the Paris Olympics seems to be teaching us. Inc. Magazine contributor Stephanie Mehta shares three ways Paris Olympians are showing us how to be emotionally intelligent by showing that… ⭐ High performers can be both confident and empathetic ⭐ Fierce competitors know when to ignore the competition, and focus on what they can control ⭐ Disappointment can be a good motivator Have you caught Olympic athletes using emotional intelligence? Tell us about it. #bestadvice #olympics2024 #emotionalintelligence

At Kind of Human, we believe in revolutionizing workforce dynamics through our Human Element approach, grounded in truth, choice, and awareness. Discover how mastering the state of flow, both in business and sports, can elevate individual and organizational performance to new heights. Dive into our latest article to learn from the South African Rugby World Cup team's strategies for peak performance. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dm-ZHcdq #PeopleDevelopment #OrganizationalGrowth #HumanElement #PeakPerformance #FlowState