Thinking like an Olympian: lessons for business from elite athletes

The XXXIII Olympiad in Paris is coming to an end and, by now, the world’s sporting elite will know if the years of physical and psychological training were enough to earn them that elusive gold medal.

While there are athletes who have a freakish physiology, for most it is about training - both mind and body - to peak at the right time.

For every athlete, whether or not they stand on the podium at the end of their event, there is a support crew who has helped them reach the Olympics.  Teams include medical professionals, performance coaches, nutritionists, and psychologists.

Sports psychologists teach everything from communication for teams to work more cohesively, focus, mindfulness and stress management.  All these are tools to help the performer navigate the obstacles and pressures they may encounter before, during or after their event.

The high performance management strategies employed by the athletes and their crew have many cross overs into the world of business and management.

Below we’ve curated some of the titles from the Wellington City Library to help you gain a develop a winning mindset.

• Boost! : how the psychology of sports can enhance your performance in management and work by Bar-Eli, Michael
• Win : proven strategies for success in sport, life and mental health by Pope, Brent
• Staying the distance : the lessons from sport that business leaders have been missing by Baker, Catherine
• Fight your fear and win : seven skills for performing your best under pressure : at work, in sports, on stage by Greene, Don
• Powher : unlocking the potential of women in sport for success on and off the field by Stuart, Jess
• The talent code : greatness isn't born : it's grown, here's how by Coyle, Daniel