In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Team GB’s success to see how we can apply the lessons to our professional lives.
Team GB Paris Olympics medals by sport
Artistic Swimming (one silver medal)
Artistic swimming takes a lot of teamwork, planning, and endless practice. Every detail matters – but they have to make it look effortless.
What we can learn for the workplace: the importance of working in harmony with our colleagues, and not letting the loudest voice in the room take over. Learning how to keep our composure during stressful situations, and share successes equally across the team.
Boxing (one bronze medal)
Boxing is one of the oldest sports in the Olympic Games. It demands quick reflexes, strategic thinking, and mental toughness.
What we can learn for the workplace: how to get more agile in our thinking (thinking on our feet), build resilience in the face of setbacks, and switch strategies without letting it knock us off course.
Golf (one silver medal)
Golf takes precision, patience, focus, and self-control – often over a long period.
What we can learn for the workplace: golf’s emphasis on accuracy and mental control teaches us to be detail-oriented in our work and patient with long-term goals.
Skateboarding (one bronze medal)
Skateboarding made its debut at the Paris Games. Successful skateboard athletes are creative risk-takers who persevere when they fall.
What we can learn for the workplace: this innovative sport inspires us to think outside the box – we’re never too old to get creative. Perhaps this could look like taking calculated risks in our career, or maintaining balance in our professional lives.
Sport Climbing (one gold medal)
Another relatively new Olympic sport, sport climbing demands strength, on-the-spot problem solving, strategic planning, and adaptability.
What we can learn for the workplace: sport climbing teaches us to approach challenges from different angles, to plan at least two moves ahead, but always be able to adapt to changing circumstances.
Taekwondo (one silver medal)
Taekwondo athletes are disciplined and respectful, with great agility and decision making skills.
What we can learn for the workplace: the principles of taekwondo help us cultivate self-discipline, show respect to all colleagues, and make the best decisions under pressure
Trampoline (one gold medal)
Trampolining takes great body awareness, spatial orientation, and timing.
What we can learn for the workplace: this gymnastics discipline teaches us to be more aware of our professional environment and how it affects us, and time our actions for maximum impact.
Weightlifting (one bronze medal)
Olympic weightlifting is one of the oldest sports in the summer games. As well as strength, it needs technique, patience, and dedication.
What we can learn for the workplace: weightlifting’s focus on technique and incremental progress inspires us to refine our professional skills, set goals, and dedicate ourselves to continuous improvement.
Gymnastics (two bronze medals)
The gymnastics disciplines need strength and flexibility, with precision and mental focus.
What we can learn for the workplace: gymnastics teaches us to pay attention to details, maintain control over our reactions, and stay focused on the next step.
Sailing (one gold and one bronze medal)
Sailing takes a lot of teamwork, strategic planning, and awareness of the environment.
What we can learn for the workplace: how to navigate changing business environments or external factors that affect outcomes, whilst working in a team?
Shooting (one gold, one silver medal)
The sport of shooting takes concentration, stillness, and mental control.
What we can learn for the workplace: shooting sports are a good lesson in maintaining focus, keeping calm under pressure, and controlling our thoughts for optimal performance.
Triathlon (one gold, two bronze medals)
The swim/bike/run combo emphasises endurance, versatility, and the ability to transition between tasks.
What we can learn for the workplace: how to manage our time and smoothly transition between tasks whilst developing a more diverse skill set.
Canoe (two silver, two bronze medals)
Canoeing takes power, coordination, and bravery.
What we can learn for the workplace: this is a lesson in maintaining balance even in stressful periods, using our inner strength, and working in team environments.
Diving (one silver, four bronze medals)
Diving needs ultra precision, good body awareness, courage, and composure.
What we can learn for the workplace: how to approach tasks with more precision (especially when working with peers), be aware of our professional presence, and maintain composure in high-pressure situations.
Equestrian (two gold, three bronze medals)
The only Olympic sport that involves another species needs communication, empathy, and gentle leadership.
What we can learn for the workplace: equestrian sports teach us to widen our communication skills, show empathy to others, and to lead with confidence.
Swimming (one gold, four silver medals)
Swimming blends endurance and technique, with a competitive spirit.
What we can learn for the workplace: swimming inspires us to set and achieve long term goals even if that means refining our professional skills over many years.
Rowing (three gold, two silver, three bronze)
Rowing is a team sport where individuals need great strength, endurance, and pace.
What we can learn for the workplace: the sustained synchronised effort of rowing teaches us to work in harmony, maintaining a steady pace in our work and building stamina for larger projects.
Athletics (one gold, four silver, five bronze medals)
There are so many events under the Athletics banner, but all need a blend of explosive power, speed, endurance, and technique.
What we can learn for the workplace: the diversity of athletics events helps us focus on our strengths, improve our weaknesses, and strive for peak performance.
Cycling (two gold, five silver, four bronze)
Team GB’s most successful sport takes immense strength and endurance, with strategy and teamwork.
What we can learn for the workplace: competitive cycling teaches us to communicate in a team, develop long-term strategies, and pace ourselves (retaining enough energy for a strong finish).
Inspiring work success through fitness success
Olympic athletes are the ultimate example of the incredible successes that are possible when we set ourselves goals and dedicate ourselves towards striving to achieve them.
We’re not all capable of winning an Olympic medal, but hats off to those who are! Our challenge to you – set yourself a new fitness goal. Make it achievable and celebrate your success when you get there. Notice the confidence that it brings, within your working lives, and beyond.
