27.02.2025 Today’s Insights and Inspiration from Skiing Champion Mikaela Shiffrin, in the Wall Street Journal
Dear Students,
Sometimes, the best metaphor for the competitive world of global business leadership is what could be considered a world apart – and also a diversion that an ambitious international student like you might undertake simply for fun – the competitive world of “sport” (as known outside the US).
And, while Mikaela Shiffrin (who started skiing in her family’s driveway at the age of 2) is but a Millennial (and not much older than some of you), there’s so much for you and your friends to learn from this short article extolling her power skills. A few lessons that any eager young professional – especially you! – can draw from award-winning WSJ sports journalist Jason Gay’s poignant piece this week:
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Anyone who’s reached the top (like Shiffrin, who achieved Olympic Gold at 18) has also experienced moments at the bottom, and has climbed back up again, demonstrating resilience and perseverance
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(Admitting to) experiencing self-doubt is a normal part of success, and conducting the self-reflection, (along with having the self-awareness to recognize such feelings), is the key to mastering them
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“Radical candor” makes a “s/hero” relatable and human, through demonstrating and even embracing vulnerability and imperfection
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Exuding the courage to not tow the “toxic positivity” line in social media allows a 20-something (like you) to feel genuine and true to your own point of view (POV), promoting a deep sense of self-confidence
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If you want to be the best, you have to be willing to take risks – “playing it safe” means simply playing with “the masses”
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Experiencing defeat – and potentially re-attaining success – requires “becoming comfortable being uncomfortable,” enlisting the grit, determination and humility to undertake the climb, anew, and often multiple times (without concern for “looking bad”)
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Restarts necessitate recalibration, entailing adaptability, agility and flexibility, while leveraging initiative, critical thinking and sometimes innovation to approach new circumstances and challenges
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At times, the most important change a student or new grad (like you or your classmates) may need to make lies in re-inspiring your own abundance mindset, while adjusting your own expectations following physical, emotional or psychological low points
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There’s no substitute for continuous learning, whether through new approaches, new attitudes, or new insights gained from analytical thinking, transparently assessing what didn’t work and demonstrating the curiosity and creativity to try unfamiliar paths
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Finally, there’s no shame in being unsure, unclear or confused – just read about how Shiffrin couldn’t even find the scoreboard on her latest race!
All in all, not a bad learning take-away from a brief article about a very talented young athlete, who personifies how an “extraordinary, unprecedented career” means not only physical prowess but proven power skills, as well.
As the Italians described it on Sunday, “una storica centesima vittoria!”
Wishing you, too, an evening as smooth as ice!
Best,
Amy-Louise