Thoughts on Olympic Bosses?

My namesake Wally Bock over at Three Star Leadership (actually, we're not related, but I would love to think we are!) offers a great take on why being a boss is not an Olympic sport. Love his perspective!

Here's his take from his current blog post:

Summer games or winter games, it doesn't matter. When it's time for the Olympics, it's also time for a spate of articles about how much we can learn from the incredible athletes who compete in the games.

But if you're a boss beware. There are four reasons why being a boss is not an Olympic event.

Winning isn't everything, or even the only thing. You have to accomplish the mission. But you also have to care for your people. That means keeping them safe and helping them grow.

You don't get to practice more than you play. In fact, with the exception of the occasional class on a specific topic, you don't get to practice at all. Being a boss is a performance art where learning and doing intertwine.

You don't belong to just one team. In business, you belong to several teams at once. And, just to make it more fun, you may compete with another team on one activity at the same time you're also cooperating with them.

There's no closing ceremony. Every triumph is the gateway to a new challenge. Every time you come up short you must learn from it. Every time your team changes, you have to adjust.

Boss's Bottom Line

Being a boss may not be an Olympic event. You may never a get a gold medal or even a gold watch. But if it's right for you, being a boss is one of the most rewarding pursuits in the world.