What Lessons Can Leaders Learn From the 2024 Paris Olympics?

The characteristics that propelled the 2024 Paris Olympic athletes to greatness are just as crucial in the world of business, particularly in how teams are built, challenges are faced, and long-term goals are achieved. 

The Olympics and Paralympics are more than just a global celebration of athletic prowess; they represent the pinnacle of human dedication, discipline, and teamwork. Athletes from all corners of the globe gather to test their abilities, pushing beyond their physical and mental limits. The outcomes can be exhilarating and heartbreaking – because, at the Olympics, the stakes are especially high.  

Beyond the spectacle, there are profound leadership lessons to be learned from the way athletes and teams approach the contest demands, overcome setbacks, and work together to achieve success. As organizations navigate a competitive and unpredictable landscape, the 2024 Paris Olympics provide a unique lens to examine key leadership principles that could drive greater success. 

Key perspectives from the proudest moments in Paris  

Athletes who qualify for the Olympics and Paralympics must possess both talent and grit.  

Alexandre Trotto, Managing Partner at Signium France, comments:

“Before embarking on their journey, every Olympic athlete understands what it’s going to take to realize their dream: an investment of time, commitment, and thick-skinned determination. Their journey spans many years. This is good news for anyone who wishes to accomplish anything – knowing that it’s going to take time, but that time well used could mean ultimate victory.” 

The business environment moves at a rapid pace, with societal changes, ESG developments, and international affairs evolving quickly. However, organizations that take the long-haul approach can achieve greatness by focusing on some of the traits demonstrated at the 2024 Paris Olympics.  

Develop resilient teams 

In the face of challenges such as economic downturns, market disruptions, or failed initiatives, resilient teams can bounce back stronger. A great example of resilience at the 2024 Paris Olympics is the remarkable story of French swimmer Léon Marchand. Despite missing out on medals in previous Olympic Games, Marchand made a powerful comeback at Paris 2024, winning gold in the 400m individual medley.  

Marchand’s victory wasn’t just a personal triumph but also a major win for France, as he set a new Olympic record, surpassing a record held by Michael Phelps for nearly 16 years.  

Leaders can foster resilience by creating a culture that supports learning from failures, encouraging innovation, and providing the necessary resources for recovery. Resilience is not just an individual trait but a team attribute that can be cultivated through three deliberate leadership actions. 

1. Create a growth mindset culture 

Encourage a mindset where setbacks are seen as learning opportunities. Leaders can do this by openly discussing failures and modeling vulnerability themselves. When something goes wrong, host a ‘post-mortem’ meeting, focusing on what the team can learn and improve next time rather than assigning blame. 

2. Offer mental health and well-being resources 

A key part of resilience is the ability to recover from the stress of setbacks with dignity. Leaders could provide access to mental health resources, coaching, or well-being workshops. Resilient organizations provide employees with the emotional support and space needed to recharge. 

3. Celebrate small wins 

Recognizing incremental progress can help maintain morale during difficult times. Acknowledge team members who persevere through challenges and adapt well to unexpected changes.  

Trotto emphasizes the importance of celebrating every achievement: “If Léon Marchand had allowed his past failures to define him, instead of the many victories that qualified him, he might never have accomplished what he did at the 2024 Olympics. Of course, he learned from his setbacks. But he didn’t get stuck there.” 

Cultivate collaborative teamwork 

Just like in team sports, collaboration and trust are essential for organizational success. The French men’s volleyball team made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by successfully defending their gold medal, a feat only two other nations had achieved before them. After winning gold in Tokyo 2021, they became the first country in 36 years to repeat this triumph, joining the ranks of the former USSR and the United States.  

Their journey to gold in Paris was marked by immense pressure, highlighting the importance of not just individual talent but also teamwork under pressure, synchronization, and the ability to adapt as a collective unit. Their victory showcases how collaboration and trust in one another can push a team to overcome tough challenges and claim unimaginable wins even when the stakes are high.​ 

Business leaders should implement structures and practices that promote teamwork, such as cross-functional teams, regular communication, and shared accountability. 

Establish clear team roles and responsibilities  

Just as athletes know their positions on the field, team members should have clear roles and responsibilities that are aligned with organizational goals. This clarity prevents overlap, confusion, and conflict and empowers the entire team to work toward the same goal.  

Promote cross-functional collaboration 

Encourage teams from different departments to work together on projects. This cross-functional collaboration not only enhances creativity but also allows employees to see how their work impacts the greater good of the organization. 

Create shared accountability 

By instituting a framework where team members are collectively accountable for outcomes, leaders can introduce collaborative performance metrics where success is measured as a team. While still recognizing individual contributions, broader team accountability boosts morale and fosters stronger bonds between team members.  

Maintain focus and discipline 

Achieving long-term business goals requires sustained effort and a clear vision, much like training for the Olympics. A great example of long-term goal achievement at the 2024 Paris Olympics is Ethiopian marathon runner Tamirat Tola. Running on what was described as one of the most challenging courses in Olympic history, Tola finished the race in 2:05:36, breaking the previous record, winning gold, and ending a 24-year marathon gold medal drought for Ethiopia.  

His triumph was the result of a meticulously planned approach, showcasing the power of perseverance and consistency. He strategically pulled away from the competition by the 18-mile mark. By maintaining a significant lead, Tola ultimately crossed the finish line with an advantage of more than 20 seconds. 

Leaders must ensure that their teams remain focused on the end goals while maintaining discipline in daily operations. 

Set clear, measurable objectives 

Create a strategic plan with SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. Break down larger objectives into smaller, achievable milestones that provide motivation along the way. Each milestone should have a deadline and clear criteria for success. 

Reinforce daily habits  

Encourage daily practices that align with long-term goals, such as regular team check-ins, focused work sessions, or end-of-day reflections. Ensure that small, consistent actions contribute to overarching objectives, and help the team understand how their daily work ties into larger goals.  

“Winning isn’t something that simply happens one lucky day,” says Trotto. “Winning is the culmination of persistent practice and commitment to positive habits. Good leaders know that many small actions are where greater victories are made. By the time an athlete gets to the Olympics, they’re putting their heart and soul on the line. When they walk onto the field or the track, the practice and time they’ve invested will determine how they perform and how they respond to unexpected change.” 

Limit distractions and celebrate progress  

Using tools like project management software or weekly progress reports, leaders can help their teams focus on priorities and track their movement toward their goals. Celebrate progress, even if it’s incremental, to keep motivation high and ensure the team remains disciplined and engaged. 

Promote adaptability 

The ability to pivot quickly in response to market changes or competitive pressures is vital in today’s fast-moving business landscape.  

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the cycling race witnessed a standout moment when the Dutch men’s team adjusted their strategy mid-race due to challenging weather conditions and shifting competitor tactics. Their fast thinking and collective adaptability enabled them to gain an advantage when it mattered most, ultimately securing a well-earned victory. 

Teams in these events rely heavily on synchrony and quick decision-making, balancing individual efforts with group coordination. The Dutch team’s ability to stay cohesive under pressure exemplifies how tactical shifts can make a difference in securing incredible outcomes, despite challenging circumstances. 

In business, leaders should encourage flexibility and rapid decision-making, ensuring their teams are always ready to adjust strategies when needed. 

Encourage an experimental mindset  

Create a culture where experimentation is encouraged. Trotto says, “Leaders can encourage curiosity and learning by promoting a ‘fail fast, learn fast’ mentality in low-stakes scenarios. Here, team members shouldn’t be penalized for trying new things but are instead praised for innovation and quick learning from mistakes.” 

Empower teams to make decisions

Give teams the autonomy to make decisions quickly in real time. Reducing bureaucratic barriers allows teams to act with agility and pivot when necessary without waiting for approval from multiple layers of management. 

Use scenario planning  

Prepare teams for change by running ‘what if’ scenarios. For example, simulate market shifts, new competitor strategies, or changes in customer behavior, and ask your team to develop responses. This proactive thinking strengthens the team’s ability to adapt when real challenges arise.  

“You can be sure that the Dutch men’s cycling team prepared for every eventuality.,” says Trotto. “So, when the weather changed, they didn’t have to waste time deciding what to do. Changing tactics came easily, and that made a massive difference to their race. The mind works like a muscle. We can exercise this muscle and master the skill of problem-solving through simulated scenarios.” 

The Olympiad spirit: Leading by example 

As trusted advisors in leadership dynamics, we see the 2024 Paris Olympics as a powerful reminder of the traits that lead to success – both on the field and in the boardroom.  

One of the most memorable and inspiring moments of the 2024 Olympic Games took place in the Mixed Team Judo Final. With both teams tied, the match had to be decided by “golden score” and heavy-weight champion Teddy Riner was randomly selected to represent France in this crucial moment. The judoka, who had already won an individual gold medal the previous day, pushed himself beyond his limits. Despite fatigue and the high stakes, he defeated his opponent with an unforgettable ippon, securing France’s second consecutive gold medal in the mixed team tournament. 

“This is a remarkable example of selflessness,” says Trotto. “ For Riner, it wasn’t just about motivating his team; it was about going further by leading through example. He stepped up to the responsibility himself and transcended the moment. His victory will remain a landmark memory, and a magnificent example of passion and grit, for every member of his team, and the nearly 10 million people watching all over the world. That is the true spirit of leadership.” 

Whether leading a team, an entire corporation, or even the members of your own home, growing a spirit of resilience, discipline, and adaptability is the first step in your journey toward leadership success. Most of all, the most impactful leaders are those who lead by example, sharing both responsibility and reward, not charging ahead but walking alongside their teams every step of the journey.