What American Ninja Warrior Can Teach Us About Business and Life, Part 2
The work that we do every day is challenging on many levels but the American Ninja Warrior competition can teach us a few lessons to prepare for the toughest situations and sharpen our skills. These assets — like resilience and character strength — are things that many employers are looking for in today’s job market.
Even the Best Can Fail
On the show some of the strongest athletes have failed when you think it is impossible for them to tumble and some manage to come back even stronger than before. Take Drew Dreschel for example — in 2011 Dreschel was running the first stage of the course and when completing one of the obstacles in the first round he landed awkwardly and tore his right ACL and MCL. After rehabbing and taking some time off, he was able to compete three years later. In 2016, Dreschel went farther in the whole competition than any other by making it to the third stage before succumbing to the “Cliff Hang” obstacle. He is a shining example that setbacks can and will happen but with the right mindset one can push through and rebuild themselves to reach greater heights. Whether you have been let go from a job, quit school to focus on other parts of your life or taken a demotion, there is always the chance to make something better of yourself. Successful business professionals take their failures and keep learning from them until they get it right.
It is Important to Have Heroes to Look Up To
From the beginning of the competition, there have been competitors from all walks of life and many of them have devoted their entire lives to training for the chance to reach the top of the final stage. Many of these competitors have become pillars of strength in their local communities or even on the national stage. Some of my personal heroes in the world of business are Elon Musk, Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey, Tony Robbins, Mark Cuban and Steve Jobs. These trailblazers have revolutionized modern living in no small manner and they offer inspiration to those of us that dream of leaving the world a better place. These leaders also possess the ability to inspire others and they question the foundations of the world around them. The athletes of American Ninja Warrior are heroes in their own right and they often embody the values of hard work, self assurance, healthy living and perseverance.
Mental Strength Should Never be Underestimated
Many physical skills are needed to complete just the first round of each course: endurance, grip strength, balance and speed. The thing that many overlook is the mental sharpness needed to make it over each obstacle and reach the buzzer to get to the next round. Many of the competitors will get stuck on an obstacle and it will physically tax their bodies, but those that keep focused in the moment often find the mental resolve to conquer the challenge. Over the course of the show, there have also been competitors that take on an obstacle in a different way than the rest of the field. By rethinking their tactics they will make it through where others fail. One such competitor, Kevin Bull, has become a recent fan favorite after he proved that his inverted approach to the “Cannonball Alley” obstacle was an effective way to move past it when everyone before him had fallen. Bull also has a rare type of autoimmune disease called Alopecia Universalis that has left him with no hair on his body. He credits the Alopecia community with the support that he needed to become one the best athletes on the show and he regularly participates in charity events to raise awareness for those who have the disease. By looking to these examples, we can see the many benefits of mental strength and where that applies to the corporate structure. There will be times when projects get off track or there are a myriad of distractions but keeping your focus will see you through those hardships.
In case you missed it, here is the link to Part 1 of this series.
by Ben Truby
LinkedIn
