Watching Sunday’s Wimbledon epic men's final I saw three specifics about winning that directly apply to growing your business.
1. How you view the competition
It's normal to watch tennis opponents on either side of the net crashing balls back at each other. How would you feel if your most ardent competitor kept slapping your best efforts back at you? In tennis you expect your opponent to be on his game and returning almost every one of your volleys, until you get the advantage and you go for the kill shot.
In business I see most leaders wilt when their competition slams back at them. In fact, I see people get angry that the competition isn't "playing fair!" Are you kidding me? You have to force your competition in to a corner to where they have no option but to respond to your control of the game, and then you hit the kill shot.
Expect your competitors to be good and on their game.
Expect them to give as good a game as you can give.
Expect to work hard to find that slightest of opportunity to exploit.
2. How hard you work
The match between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick lasted well over 4 hours of rocket serves, exhausting volleys and intense pressure. History was hanging in the balance for Roger if he could win his 15th Grand Slam title and the pressure was on for Roddick to win his first Wimbledon title against the best in the game.
What amazed me most was after four grueling hours, neither man looked exhausted. In fact, they didn't even look tired!
The conditioning these men put themselves through in preparation for this sport has to be intense. They work on their physical conditioning and more importantly their mental conditioning. It's what makes them able to last a 30 game 5th set and still be on their game.
In business growth-oriented executives need to work on conditioning as well. To be able to lead organizations to grow in today's economy requires great physical and mental strength. It doesn't happen just because you wish it did. It takes full effort. Compare your job preparation effort with that of these tennis champions. How do you stack up? I think it's time to work on your conditioning a little bit more.
3. Commitment
At the end of the match you could tell both players give it their full commitment. The emotion was on the edge during the trophy ceremony, as the cameras closed in to capture their faces. The cynic may say, "I can't believe grown men cry over a game." I say it's refreshing to see a person totally invest themselves into something they believe in. I've never seen a corporate business person give of themselves as these players have. I have seen the occasional business owner on the brink of losing everything totally commit themselves to save their operations.
Imagine, if we frequently put forth that kind of complete effort as leaders how much further along our organizations and careers would have grown. Wait no longer, make today the first day of doing what it takes to win.
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