Olympians and Business Leaders

Each day on Twitter, I like to share a comment, quote, silly post, or thoughtful mention that may make you think, laugh, or learn. The first part of last month was the last week of the 2012 Olympics so you may notice we had some extra fun with that event.

Here’s the list from August 2012

• Won gold in the 4x100 snack and sip
• Slept through the lounge relay
• Landed silver for all-around opinions
• Tested positive for chocolate
• Achieved bronze in the 400m splashing IM
• World record holder in couch coaching
• Pulled a hamstring reaching for refreshments
• Received extra marks for posturing
• Landed bronze in individual couch sitting
• Disqualified for excessive TV remote use
• Won gold in snack assembly
• Congratulations to all who gave it their all
• Today is the first day of the rest of your week
• If you have to remind people what your title is, you've already lost the room
• Be persistent
• Relationships aren't a click of a mouse, they require care and involvement
• Focusing on what you did will distract you from what you can do
• Leadership is 10% skill and 90% life
• Always stay curious
• Life happens or we make it happen. The choice is up to us
• Do you dream or do?
• What you ask someone today how they are, mean it and wait for their response
• You don't have to have all the answers
• Self-doubt is not a good business partner
• Never underestimate the power of asking for help
• Never underestimate the power of helping others
• Leadership and trust take time
• Eradicate the naysayers
• Be the visionary for your own life
• Eat the frog
• Dream big. Do big. What's the downside?

Let’s go have some fun!

Kneale Mann

flickr

Five Rings and a Month of Suggestions

It can be fun, serious, funny, or thought provoking, but daily on Twitter I post something that may brighten your day, cause you to pause, make you think, or give you a smile.

Since the London Olympics began on July 27th, you'll notice some silliness may have ensued in the last few days of the month and may continue through August 12th.

Here’s the list for July 2012

• Happy Birthday, Canada
• Two out of ten play mostly to their strengths. What about you?
• Context is king
• Happy 236, USA
• Without initiative, leaders are simply workers in leadership positions. Bo Bennett
• Martin Streek - Three years and still doesn't seem real.
• At the end of the day, when all is said and done, we may need fewer clichés
• Never underestimate the power of quite time
• Build relationships not customers
• Leadership doesn't appear on a business card
• Nose to the grindstone, best foot forward, shoulder to the wheel, drink plenty of fluids
• Stay curious
• Drop out of the Ain’t it Awful Club. Jack Canfield
• Take a break from the internet. It will be here when you get back
• Make the choice or something else will make it for you
• Let others have the spotlight today
• Take the victory
• Leadership starts from within
• How often do you listen to your gut?
• Never. Stop. Learning.
• Thank those who help you
• Independence needs a hand. Accept it with grace
• Meet five new people this week
• Growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership
• Stress can be a self-inflicted injury
• Leadership is about helping others
• Are you giving your best?
• Remains the frontrunner in marathon napping
• Scored gold for sharp retorts
• Won silver in coverage viewing
• Stuck the couch dismount

If we give up, we may never know.

Kneale Mann

getty images

Vancouver 2010 | Make Us Proud

The Games Are On

Last night’s opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games were not perfect but still did Canadian’s proud. The Twitterstream was buzzing with second by second accounts and opinions of every detail.

Ghost in the Machine

There were some technical glitches and you’d think that a team that worked on a production for years would be flawless, but that’s what you get when you have hundreds working on a project where mechanical malfunctions happen. Nothing is perfect – not even hydraulic torch extensions.


Tragic Event

The Vancouver Games are clouded by the tragic loss of Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili who was killed instantly going 90mph in an unprotected sled on ice. Tragedy has happened before at the Olympics but surprisingly not as often as you would think considering the often dangerous situations in which these world class athletes perform.

Paying Tribute

Billions watched the opening ceremonies last night and when paying tribute to Kumaritashvili it was as if billions of people in hundreds of countries around the world were silent giving respect to a young life cut short.

Head Held High

As a Canadian, I was proud to see numerous accomplished Canadians included in the event last night. The Canadian Olympic Team – from a country of only 33 million has 206 athletes at these Games. Our American friends have 215 athletes from a country of ten times the population.

Remember

Let's dedicate the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games to a 21 year old man from Borjomi, Georgia who did what selected few get to do – become an Olympian.

Controversy, tragedy, discussion over sponsorships and doping are all realities of this storied event.

Have your opinions, I’ll have mine but for the next couple of weeks I choose to be proud of my country as it hosts its third Olympics in thirty-four years.

@knealemann

photo credit: nlptechnologies

Thanks Mom

The Olympics in Beijing are over. As usual, there was plenty of drama; from the American relay teams dropping batons to the Chinese gymnastics’ age limit issue. Michael Phelps won Gold in every race he competed in, and Mongolia won their first Gold medal ever – it was in boxing.

Politics, cheating, communism, all present during the Olympics.

On a positive note, kudos to all Canadian medal winners; Carol Huynh, the men's four and eight rowing teams, Eric Lamaze, Calder & Frandsen, Karen Cockburn, Simon Whitfield, Jason Burnett, Alexandre Despatie, Team Equestrian, Emile Heymans, Adan van Koeverden, Karine Sergeie, Ryan Cochrane, Tonya Verbeek, Cameron & Kok, Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, and Thomas Hall.

One story that resonated with me was was about Ron McLean.

Ron had to leave the Games early because his mom died last Wednesday night. He is the real deal, a classic act. He is genuine and a national treasure. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him and what you see is exactly what you get.

Ron shared a deeply personal moment with millions of viewers and I’m not sure how many of us could’ve done that. Our hearts break for him.

So many of the athletes were seen thanking their moms during interviews, Ron was no different.

km

Is It Five Yet?

You've seen the interview with the actor who didn't win the award or the athlete who failed to medal - they are usually "just glad to be here" and "honored by the opportunity".

Clearly making the Olympics or being nominated for an Oscar is huge ...duh. But once you are at that level, and you feel you have a legitimate chance of winning - are you really going to settle for the honor of the nomination?

I recently saw an interview with Mel Karmazin. Like any high achiever, Mel has his fans and critics - don't we all. The part of the clip I thought was interesting was when he was explaining his mantra. Always go for the win, it's not enough to show up, and to borrow a baseball analogy; win the world series every season.

I used to work for a guy who has a much harsher view of business and believed that you must smack your opponent in the head with a 2X4, take no prisoners and shoot the wounded. How pleasant.

But seriously - who plays for a tie? ...good enough? ...that will do?

I gravitate to high achievers because they give me a constant kick in the ass. I am at my lowest when I get caught up in self-doubt or snag on a patch of inertia. It's not a fun place to visit.

There is no time well spent with those who are satisfied with keeping their heads down and skating their way to 5pm. Life isn't only about work - but if you dog it at work - me thinks that may seep into other parts of life. Trust me, I can couch with the best of them - this isn't about working all the time!

You don't have to be the President of a company in order to contribute or strive for better - but we all know those who are barely showing up. My father used to lament when referring to his staff that quittin' time was the fastest they seem to move all day.

No thanks.

km