I don't know about you, but I am in full Olympic mode and love the inspiring stories that come with them. It's ALL about Dreams and Dreaming Big. There's something about the comeback, the underdog, or the champion that make each story unique and one to route for. I couldn't let the Games go by without a nod to how amazing these athletes are and the hope and unity I feel when watching the Olympic Games. 

The US Women's Gymnastics Team did not disappoint in Paris! Dubbed the "Redemption Tour", I love that the women were both comebacks and champions looking to make these games their own- competing on their terms and with their ideals. It got me reflecting on leadership lessons learned from Simone Biles over these games and in Tokyo.

Here are my top five take aways: 

• Prioritize Mental Health and Self Care: One of the most powerful lessons Simone Biles taught us is the importance of prioritizing mental health. She made the bold decision to step back from certain events at the Tokyo Olympics, showing the world that mental well-being is crucial. We've seen other athletes talk about their mental health as well making it much more the norm at these games rather than taboo. As leaders, it’s essential to recognize when we need to take care of ourselves. By doing so, we set a positive example and can perform at our best in the long run.

• Commit to Excellence: Simone’s dedication to her sport is unparalleled. Her rigorous training, innovative techniques, and consistent performance highlight her commitment to excellence. This should inspire us to push our boundaries, continuously improve, and set high standards for ourselves and our teams.

• Embrace Resilience: Throughout her career, Biles has faced numerous setbacks but has always come back stronger. This resilience is a key trait for leaders. Challenges and failures are inevitable, but how we respond to them defines our leadership. Embracing resilience helps us grow and inspires those around us to do the same.

• Use Your Platform for Good: Beyond her athletic achievements, Biles has used her platform to advocate for important issues, such as mental health and the fight against abuse in sports. As leaders, we have a responsibility to use our voices and influence to champion causes we believe in and to drive positive change in our communities and beyond.

• Be Authentic and Self-Aware: Biles’ authenticity and openness about her struggles and successes have made her relatable and inspirational. In leadership, being genuine and self-aware fosters trust and respect. Understanding our strengths and weaknesses and being true to ourselves helps us connect more deeply with our communities and lead more effectively.

What resonated for you during these games? Any key takeaways?

Why Being Respectful to Your Coworkers is Good for Business

When I first saw this TedEx talk pop up and read the title, I was like yeah, well, duh.

But then I saw that Christine Porath used to work at Georgetown University (go Hoyas!) and was discussing incivility in the workplace. So that perked my interest and the 15 minutes was worth my time.

Incivility costs businesses employees, money, and moral. I would say the same happens in politics. Incivility reduces our abilities to make good decisions, to open the community conversations, and fully participate in the public process. Passions, ideas, and opinions can be expressed without tearing each other down- we can model this and ask that others do it too.