The Touchy-Feely Olympics
The celebrations have been openly emotional. The normally reserved British have suspended the stiff upper lip in preference to tears, hugs and emotional outbursts. Even the Queen let her hair down, kicking off the happiness by staging a parachute arrival at the Opening ceremony. The achievements of the competitors have been stunning. You can feel the passion swelling within the chests of athletes and medal winners alike. You can see the emotion in the tear filled eyes of commentators and coaches. You can see it in the faces of those Union Flag clad supporters making their way to London. And you can see it in other places too. Just look at your facebook feeds and you’ll see how it has impacted those in your own circle.
It’s not just me. Even the Americans have noticed it . Our reserve is being replaced by something more… well, American. A scary thought maybe. Perhaps before we know it we’ll all be hiring therapists. Well. Maybe not, but something is definitely a foot. Is this a victory for the ‘touchy-feely’ within us?
Like nations, organisations are complex systems with a diverse population. For organisations though, the façade of the stiff upper lip seldom cracks. High fives in the boardroom are still some time away I suspect. But does that mean that desires in the workplace are not as open, that emotions are not as charged, and that achievements are not as great in this forum as they are on the Olympic stage? What would organisations be like if we regularly saw the sort of emotional engagement as we have witnessed on our TV screens over the past week? Would they be better places to work?
Holding the energy
As we come to the end of the two weeks of competition the media, and others -including me are thinking about the legacy of the games. The Independents has spoken about the rising interest in sports whilst the Guradian ponders on whether the Olympic success will make Britons ‘more accepting’ of immigrants. David Cameron tells us that it’s been an extraordinary few weeks that has lifted the country. The BBC tells us that Lord Coe has been given special responsibility to retain the momentum. In the Telegraph Ed Miliband tells us that the 2012 Olympics have given us a glimpse of the country we can be. I suspect that countless other similar articles make the same point.
But Perhaps the changes we might see are so embryonic that it will take a long time yet before they bear fruit. And when they are, any connection to the initial catalyst may have been lost. That’s the thing about change, you never really know how the links between cause and effect will play out. Perhaps it will herald a change in the way that other countries view us, enabling them to see a warmer and more approachable side to the reserved Brit. There is a ‘wow’ factor in seeing the introvert step into the limelight and show off their hidden energy and creativity – no less so perhaps for countries as is the case with individuals.
But perhaps it is closer to home even than that.
I have seen a change in my own children over the past two weeks. I recognise it as a higher level of self-confidence, and faith in their own ability, even compared to that which I saw before the Olympics. They appear more willing to try things, from new foods to new games and sports. British kids have Olympic fever. They can all do the ‘Bolt’ and the ‘Mobot’. Being around success generates positive energy. As they say, success breeds success. Atmospheres like those around us at the moment generate a ‘can do’ attitude that can only help people on the pathway towards their aspirations.
But how long can we hold onto that energy? If we can retain it, then maybe we can restore some mojo into those areas of our lives, communities and organisations where it is most absent. We should let it run, cheered on by the crowds. Focus on your goal, celebrate your achievements and share the emotions of the success that brings with those around you. And encourage and share theirs too.
And then maybe, just maybe, we’ll really be able to reap the benefits of a genuine and enduring Olympic success story.
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