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Hi from Cécile!

Who is a leader?

Are only high-ranking corporate employees leaders? Or politicians that lead a country?

What about the ordinary (or less ordinary) people who prove their leadership day in and day out?

The recent Olympics in Paris (magnifique!) proved that again.

Many beautiful stories emerged from the tales of great athletes. Some were popular; some were not.

Leadership is not guaranteed by titles or status, and no one is entitled to it because of their "power."

Authentic leadership can manifest via small daily actions or grande achievements and struggles.

Here are 11 valuable leadership lessons from two great athletes whose talent shone and achievements inspired.

Her comeback was nothing short of inspirational.

Simone Biles's triumphant return to the stage and the spotlight during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is a powerful reminder that sometimes you need to step back.

Some may perceive taking a break as a failure or weakness. Let me be honest. Do you even care about that?

How others perceive your situation or journey is just their opinion. It’s not a fact.

Taking a step back to bounce back stronger is a fact.

This can be applied to any situation, from trivial (like a presentation) to significant (a life decision or pivot).

For example, when presenting in front of an audience, taking regular breaks can help you keep your cool (even during challenging moments), breathe deeply, collect your thoughts, refocus on what matters the most (your message) and carry on with resilience.

Another example. Many leaders struggle emotionally with how to handle a layoff due to restructuring. They choose to hide because they think it’s shameful or people will perceive it as a failure. Again, why would they care? Taking a mindful break to plan the next steps in your path is nothing short of admirable.

Want more inspiration from Simone Biles’ story?

💎 Prioritise mental health. Performance is good but not worth it at the expense of health and well-being, as the lack thereof is not a sustainable path.

💎 Build resilience. Despite facing immense pressure and criticism, Simone made a victorious comeback. Keep in mind that you can overcome setbacks with hard work, determination, and consistency.

💎 Don't be afraid to show vulnerability. Simone came out open about her struggles. As a leader, you need to be able to show your human face, too. You also face challenges, and that’s perfectly fine. That can foster more profound and meaningful connections with your team.

💎 Focus is the key. As a leader, you may feel a lot of weight on your shoulders. Manage distractions (including criticism) and concentrate on what matters most.

💎 Enjoy the journey. That applies to you and your team. A positive attitude and approach to life and business can help immensely.

Biles' story is a powerful reminder that success is not only about winning medals but also about resilience, mental fitness, personal growth, and determination to make it happen!

His journey took a challenging turn in Paris.

After securing the title “The Fastest Man in the World” with his gold medal in the 100 m. race final, he tested positive for Covid-19.

He still had a race to run: the 200 m. final.

Noah Lyles has asthma. Despite his condition and the infection, he persevered and ran, winning the bronze medal.

He was seen receiving medical help after the race and leaving in a wheelchair.

Despite the turn of things and the adversity he faced, he is now seen as a prominent figure and role model in world athletics and sports.

Not only because of his achievements but also his qualities and ethos.

When discussing resilience, we often misunderstand the notion and underestimate its importance.
Let me put that in the proper perspective.

Some define it as toughness.

I would say it’s precisely the opposite: being flexible to withstand and recover from adversity quickly.

In the context of leadership, being resilient means having an unparalleled ability to adapt.

Change and adversity = opportunity for growth

Steering your team through adversity = forward-looking action to make a positive impact.

Lyles’ story is about resilience.

💎 Overcoming adversity with determination

💎 Performing at one’s natural best, even under pressure

💎 Being flexible and responsive to changing circumstances

💎 Believing in yourself and acting with confidence even when the odds are against you

💎 Inspiring others

All those qualities manifest what it takes to be a great person and leader.

The main lesson for leaders

No confidence = your persuasion power diminishes

No inspiration = hard to create rapport and motivate towards positive change.

You don’t have to win medals in the Olympics to prove your worth.

Demonstrating effective and inspiring leadership can.

#theRealCecile

There are many things people know about me. And much more that many don't know. 

Discover how the unseen part of one's "iceberg" shapes who they are, as it did in my case.

My story and transformation fuel my public speaking and keynotes, covering topics such as leadership, resilience, communication, mental health, and #DEI.

With Mental Health Awareness Day (October 10th) and Global Diversity Month (October) approaching quickly, let’s discuss how we can inspire your audience.

For a preview, watch my monumental TEDx talk here

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