Well, the Olympics are now history. But I was thinking recently about my Olympic moment—that one thing I’ll remember the most about these Games.
I got it. And it has nothing to do with games or performance…kind of.
The Michael Phelps Story You Need To Hear
Have you heard the Michael Phelps story? Not the one about him winning 8 gold medals or breaking world records. But the one about his coach? That’s the one you need to hear because it applies directly to you!
When Michael was 11, his talent caught the eye of Bob Bowman, a swimming coach at an aquatics club in Maryland. Now, Phelps must have been pretty good to catch someone’s eye at 11, but I’m sure there were other good swimmers at that club, too.
But Michael got the nod and Bowman got the nod and they worked on the Plan. That’s right, the Plan. This was not a 90-day plan, like we’re all tied to in business. No, this was an Olympic Domination Plan—12 years out. And it worked.
All that is fact. But what’s fascinating is how many thousands of kids swim at aquatic centers around the world—which might have had all the talent at 11 years old that Michael had.
But no one noticed.
No one. Not a coach. Not a parent. Not a sibling. Or if they did notice, they just noticed and took no action. They concluded, “That’s not my job.” Or, “I don’t want to get involved.” Or, “What do I know about swimming talent?”
(Personally I think it’s that way in our public schools too—too much emphasis on the top and bottom students—and not enough focus “in the middle.” But that’s another blog.)
Do You Have Unnoticed Talent?
So here’s a question for you. Have you been noticed yet?
Do you have a coach that is willing to dedicate his life (like Bowman did) not knowing what the pay off would be but having a hunch and a plan? Is anyone in your corner that is unconditionally supportive of your dreams and goals? Does anyone slap you on the back and say, “Way to go! I knew you could do it”?
Do you have someone who keeps you on task…who makes you swim your laps…who helps you map out the plan…who stretches you outside your comfort zone?
Do you have someone in “observation mode” that helps you correct maladies—not just someone who tells you what to do?
You say you want to be a top performer, but do you? Do I? We throw the term “high performer” around, but do we really know what it means? Can you really be a top performer by yourself? I don’t think so.
You need other human beings to be on your side—to help you—to stay awake at nights thinking about what else they can do to help you.
Are You A Coach?
Conversely, maybe you play the coach archetype in this drama. Maybe you’re a manager who is supposed to spot good talent when it passes you. Everyone recognizes Michael Phelps as a talent at 23—with 8 golds around his neck.
But would you have noticed him at 11, skinny, scrawny and gangly?
After You Spot Talent
Then, what do you do with it? Maybe this is skeptical (and negative) but most managers I see are more worried about their job security and the next 30 days, than in taking talent and really, really developing it. I can be guilty of that. Are you?
If you’re a company leader, a big part of your role is noticing and developing talent. Do you know how to do both of those?
After watching the Phelps Story unfold, I’m going to re-double my efforts to “develop talent” in my client base…not just train them. And I’ll be working more intently with my senior level managers (sales and otherwise) to keep our eyes on people who indicate they have that seed of greatness and then help them develop the competencies to execute to.
I would urge you to do the same.
And when Michael soon appears on Frosted Flakes (no, not Wheaties this time), think back to that someone who took an interest, who unconditionally supported his dream, who dedicated his life to making him an elite performer.
He’s the real hero in this story.
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