By Justin Biel, trends editor at Grow Wire
In short:
-
Donovan Bailey, once the world’s fastest man, shares a simple strategy from his athletic career, which can also help business leaders grow.
-
By developing a team of experts in his field and utilizing the best resources at his disposal, Bailey became the greatest sprinter of his generation.
-
His focus on expert advice and teamwork is crucial for business owners looking to grow world-class teams with similarly record-breaking results.
Donovan Bailey(opens in new tab) is one of the most decorated sprinters of all time. He won Olympic gold in the 100 meters and 4x100-meter relay during the Atlanta Olympics, setting a world record in the 100 meters. He is also the second person ever to hold all major 100-meter titles concurrently (World Champion, Olympic Champion and World Record Holder). He’s now a restauranteur(opens in new tab), real estate investor and founder of a charitable foundation.
Business leaders looking to create the world's best company, product or service have much to learn from the disciplined approach and team-focused strategies of professional athletes like Bailey.
While sprinting is an individual sport, Bailey credits his phenomenal success to having the right team.
“I surround myself with people that are experts in the field,” said Bailey.
During Bailey’s career as a professional athlete, coach Dan Pfaff was instrumental in his success. Pfaff helped Bailey break down the craft of sprinting into a series of steps. Natural talent paired with expert training and technique allowed Bailey to become “the world’s fastest man,” a title he earned as the first man to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters. (For the record, Usain Bolt is now widely considered the fastest.)
To be great in any profession, we must access the best teachers and resources at our disposal. Once you have the right team, commit to learning and evolving every day.
For more tips for on becoming world-class, watch Bailey’s interview clip above.
Like what you see? Follow Grow Wire on Twitter(opens in new tab) for more video updates.