Women for Women International’s Post

Teamwork Makes The Dreamwork. Regardless of who is on your team...you won't get very far if you are not all rowing in the same direction...or...swimming in the proper lane!! The US women set a new world record in the 4 x 100 medley relay race...and it was not really even close. In a sport separated by tenths or hundredths of seconds, they won by over 3 seconds! Anyone in business can easily make the comparison of team sports and your team in business. Everyone having a job to do, and the other teammates depending on one another to do that job...for the success of the project, the company...or the race! I am loving these Olympic games...the stories of triumph and overcoming obstacles are just so inspiring. And, the sheer emotion of the wins, slight losses or just even finishing... is visible on every competitors face... be it these amazing young women here or so many other athletes from around the world. So freakin' cool!!! Congrats to these champions: Regan Smith Lilly King Gretchen Walsh Torri Huske For those of us who can't swim very fast, but can impact our teams at work...what can you do today to be part of making your team better?? I can show up with a great attitude and try and lead by example as I lift up those around me. Lets have a great week people! #TeamUSA #USOlympicTeam #Olympics #BusinessExcellence #OlympicMindset #TeamworkAndSuccess #InspirationForSuccess

Loving the #Olympics and #Paris2024 and loving some of the amazing stories behind these amazing #sports people. One such story was when Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, who earned silver and bronze, respectively, won even more admiration from fans after they physically bowed to Rebeca Andrade, who clinched her second Olympic gold medal in the floor exercise. This article below captured the gesture beautifully through 4 lessons: 1. Success Is Not A Zero-Sum Game: "embracing the idea that success is not a zero-sum game can encourage a more cooperative and supportive culture that promotes an understanding that one person’s success can create opportunities for others, which can make for a more inclusive and collaborative environment" 2. Emotional Intelligence Is A Priceless Human Tool: "people with high emotional intelligence have developed a mental reservoir that helps them to navigate these situations with grace, recognizing the value of others’ contributions and maintaining a collaborative and positive work environment." 3. Celebrating Collective Success Can Increase Connectivity: "By celebrating collective success, teams can break down silos and encourage cross-functional collaboration, which can inspire a more innovative workplace". 4. Respect Your Opponent: "Respect is a concept that closely mirrors sportsmanship because it is relevant to nearly every part of life and work and one of the oldest principles of life is to treat others as you would want to be treated." Hats off to these amazing ladies - leading and winning with grace, humility and true honour. #Teamwork #Recognition #Success

Feeling crap, rejected, dejected, losing hope in your business, life or job search? The Paris Paralympics is just the tonic to reset and inspire. Todays Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) collation of amazing moments is a must read. I'm so loving watching the games as I have a new found appreciation of physical disability and mobility loss. Earlier this year I had a serious accident requiring 2 weeks in hospital, 3 surgeries and 7 weeks in a wheelchair. I'm now walking again finally (albeit slower with a little limp) but I didn't envisage I would again until the end of the year. The mental and physical challenges were ones I had never encountered before. Each new step in my recovery was so bloody hard and I initially wasn't confident or sure I could accomplish each one. But with repetition and practice and an encouraging health team I improved greatly, often even surprising myself. 📌 This is so similar in careers and searching for a job or trying new ideas in a business to attract clients. Each new approach and activity will feel foreign but with persistence a better outcome is so possible. A new job search technique, a bold business strategy and mindset can and will improve results. And the smallest of win encourages and fortifies confidence. I have always enjoyed the Paralympics but this year I couldn't love the games more. So many incredible stories of courage of these athletes and their persistence as their disabilities and challenges are permanent and lifelong. #Paralympics #Inspiration #Mindset #Careers

How we transformed a summer of sport through technology.... please read on. For the past few months, sport fans everywhere have been engaged with a summer of sport – from grass courts and a festival of sport in Paris. Whether you watched from the sidelines or on-screen, the stories of triumph have been unmatched. We’re proud to say that through our tech and digital transformations, we’ve been right there, helping the LTA, Team GB and ParalympicsGB further advance their impact this summer. Here's a small recap of some of the things we’ve worked on… 🎾 We worked with the LTA to transform tennis using technology, bringing an organisation with over 100 years of history to new people and new places. This included improving website accessibility, to how you book a court, and introducing the LTA’s first membership programme to make tennis more relevant, accessible and enjoyable for everyone. In the last year alone, we’ve welcomed over 2.1m new players, signed up 23,176 teachers, and seen a 31% increase on community park courts. Find out more about our with the LTA here: www.deloitte.co.uk/tennis 🚴 As the only professional services firm to be a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner and Digital Transformation Partner for both Team GB and ParalympicsGB, we’ve helped both organisations grow their social impact and use their platform for good. We did this through our Global campaign, ‘The First Effect’, which we co-created with the International Olympic Committee – IOC to recognise the impact made by ‘firsts’ in the sporting world. We also worked with alliance partner, Salesforce, to implement new technology and systems to help both organisations capture, connect and retain their fans.   💭 We created a digital experience called Mindscape that takes people inside the mind of an athlete to understand what it really takes to be a champion. But this isn’t about being a champion in terms of medals, podiums or winning, but a champion for mental health, resilience, disability and inclusion – areas of shared impact for athletes, Team GB, ParalympicsGB and Deloitte. You can catch all of our work with Team GB and ParalympicsGB below or visit The First Effect Global hub via this link: https://lnkd.in/ejUxPYV9 #DeloitteConsulting #Technology #TechTransformation #DeloitteInSport

I'm currently in the middle of a post (by Dan Honig) about how we save our Public Sector here in the UK - something we absolutely must do, the "envy" of the worlds governments is to have a civil service as capable and dedicated as ours. Sadly, due to managing our public sector too heavily towards compliance, we're suffocating individuals ability to assess a situation, respond and add the value that's required, rather than the value senior management demand be monitored. It's dehumanising at its core, forcing good people to deliver a sub-par service on the tax payers penny. As the post below says "we need to be clear that rules are not an end, but a means to an end which is far more important than the rules themselves". Rules are there to guide us, but once we've learned and begin to excel, they can often hold us back (of course sometimes that's entirely necessary to discourage greed or abuse of power). This needs to be recognised in business as much as our public sector which is yearning to deliver the outcomes so many know they're capable of.

I hope this post makes you think. Many of you reading this are in decision making positions. We are in control of systems. Let’s make sure those systems are designed for the right outcomes.

You probably heard of the disqualification of marathon Paralympic runner Elena Congost for letting go of the rope to help her guide not to fall to the ground. The disqualification is symptomatic of a deeper problem within our society. We are often asked to follow rules that are dehumanizing. Worst, these rules tend to disqualify or penalize those who cherish and keep their humanity. Stiff rules that require us to overwrite our empathy and sensemaking in order to be applied are turning us into senseless machines. Yes, we need rules, but we need rules that nurture connection, meaning, and understanding in our decision-making, or else, these rules will become detrimental to our human connections and the quality of our lives. For that, we need to be clear that the rules are not an end, but a means to an end which is far more important than the rules themselves: justice, fairness and the betterment of our humanity In that case, the rule that was disrespected was designed to prevent guides from helping athletes during the race. It is obvious that it didn’t happen because it is the athlete who had to support her guide meters from the finish line. Let’s make sure we design and apply rules in a way that brings up the best we have to offer to this world: our consciousness, wisdom, and compassion. In the face of the great sustainability challenges of our times, we need these qualities more than ever.

Non-selection for the Paralympic Marathon for Paris September 2024. Barriers can't keep this girl down. Down but not out.💪💪 Painful moments teaches us to be resilient. Last Monday, I found out I would not be nominated to the board of Paralympics Ireland for selection for the Paralympic Marathon. Even though I have met the qualifying criteria, in particular, having the HPS the high performance standard. There is lots that can be said about barriers that I have experienced, which will be said in due course. But for now I will focus on what has helped me this past week. What has helped ✔️Letting my emotions out - crying helps the soul. ✔️Getting outside. ✔️Music - Taylor Swift along with many others has been on replay. ✔️Food - eating favourite foods. ✔️Routine - Continuing my training. This week I got two key speed sessions done. I run 7 days a week and I won't be changing that anytime soon. I didn't get my long MP run done cos I was at the eye casualty on Friday. Instead I just did 5k. ✔️ Support - this has really helped - whether you have been a listening ear, sharing jokes to make me smile or telling me your experience of bias in sport has all helped. ✔️Self-care - getting hair and nails done. ✔️Perspective - I understand the bigger issues that exist. Alot can be said about entry and progression of new para athletes who meet the high performance standard. ✔️Writing out all the barriers and analysing them has been educating and frustrating. ✔️Goals - knowing there are lots of other goals to be completed - personal, professional and running goals. ✔️Focusing on past experiences where I encountered barriers and changed policy has helped give me energy. As I move forward I will reflect, refocus & recharge.

🌟 **Paralympic Athletes: The True Definition of Resilience and Determination** 🌟 As we witness the incredible achievements of Paralympic athletes, it's impossible not to be inspired by their unwavering spirit and determination. These athletes redefine what it means to overcome adversity, demonstrating that no obstacle is too great when met with passion, perseverance, and a positive mindset. 🚀 **Inspiration Beyond Sports:**  Paralympians show us that success is not just about physical strength—it's about mental fortitude, adaptability, and the will to push beyond limits. They remind us that challenges are opportunities in disguise, and that true strength comes from within. 🌍 **Lessons for Society:** 1. **Inclusivity:** Let’s create spaces where everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive. An inclusive society is a stronger, more vibrant one. 2. **Resilience:** When faced with setbacks, we should remember the resilience of Paralympic athletes and strive to move forward with the same determination. 3. **Empathy:** Understanding and supporting the journeys of others builds a more compassionate world. Let’s celebrate diversity in all its forms and learn from the experiences of those around us. Paralympic athletes are not just competitors—they are role models for all of us. They teach us that with courage and commitment, we can overcome any hurdle, both on and off the field. Let’s honor their achievements by embracing these lessons in our daily lives. #Paralympics #Inspiration #Resilience #Inclusivity #Diversity #MentalStrength #Empathy #LifeLessons

I feel sad that the #Paris2024 Summer #Olympics & #Paralympics are now over, and I feel glad that these athletes motivated me to move and strengthen my body more. (May you be motivated to move your body too as regular physical exercise is also beneficial for your #MentalHealth.) I also wanted to share some insights that the Paralympics revealed to me about #diversity and winning teams. One of the most exciting track events is the relay. In the Paralympics, there are different individual race categories grouping athletes of similar abilities to compete as individuals. Yet, the 4X100 #UniversalRelay brings these different categories together to form teams to work together to strive for success. 💡Fun Facts About 4X100 Universal Relay💡 1. It was created in 2018 and is the only relay in Para athletics. 2. Teams are made up of 2 female-identified athletes and 2 male-identified athletes. 3. Teams race in the following order: starter is a visually-impaired runner, followed by an amputee runner, who touches off to a runner with cerebral palsy, who does the final hand-off to a wheelchair athlete. 🌟What’s required to succeed? 🌟 1. Strong, strategic and compassionate #leadership (coaching). 2. Cohesive and supportive #teams. 3. Commitment to the #values of Paralympism - #determination, #equality, #inspiration and #courage. These are the same components for winning teams in the work world. How can we bring the universal relay design for winning teams to all areas of our society? #DiversityIsStrength #BetterTogether #PhysicalHealth #MentalHealth #GetMoving