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It’s a demanding sport, which calls on athletes to navigate complex obstacles at lightning speed, drawing on years of discipline and relentless preparation to make the right decisions amidst the ever-changing conditions. There are multiple parallels to business leadership.
Jess is considered the very best to ever pick up a paddle, and even if the closest we come to the whitewater is cheering at our TV screens, there’s a lot we can learn from the way she goes about her work.
It may look chaotic, but a successful canoe slalom run is backed by many hours of strategic planning. Athletes like Jess meticulously analyse the course, plan their approach to each gate and anticipate potential challenges. In business, strategic planning is equally crucial. Understanding the competitive landscape, setting clear goals and developing a roadmap to achieve them are foundational to long-term success.
Lesson: Invest time in strategic planning. Conduct thorough market analyses, set achievable objectives and outline clear strategies to reach your goals. Take time to reflect on what has worked in the past and how that may influence your approach to future obstacles.
Manoeuvring an 8 kg carbon-fibre shell through tonnes of surging water is a daunting prospect. But there are times when the task of managing a business in a fickle market environment can feel just as challenging. Both call for precise control and fast adaptation to the changing currents.
Being able to quickly adjust strategies, pivot when necessary and make informed decisions under pressure are critical for sustaining a competitive edge. We work with you to build a suite of precise and personalised solutions for your conditions, helping you stay agile and in control.
Lesson: Cultivate a culture that values precision and agility. Encourage teams to stay informed, be flexible and develop data-driven decision engines and protocols to deal swiftly with the conditions as they evolve around you.
Jess’ journey to Olympic success is a testament to the power of consistency and disciplined execution. It’s a values-led approach, where every training session is purposeful, and every action aligns with her goals and the standards she sets for herself.
In the same way, principled execution in a business context essentially means keeping an eye to the long-term and holding to the standards (governance, culture, values and behaviours) you establish – sometimes at the expense of the easy option over the short term.
Lesson: Consider how your organisation executes against your long-term ambitions and how your ongoing activity reflects the values that ladder to your ambition.
Even on a purpose-built course, there’s often no accounting for how the water or your equipment will behave at any given moment. Over her career Jess has overcome countless unexpected setbacks, displaying a strength of will and resilience common to successful business leaders.
Market downturns, competitive pressures, and internal setbacks are inevitable. The ability to remain resilient, learn from challenges and persevere is what separates winners from the rest of the field.
Lesson: Foster a resilient mindset within your team, where challenges are viewed as opportunities for growth and learning.
While canoe slalom may seem like an individual sport, the support and collaboration of a dedicated team, including coaches, trainers and support team, are indispensable.
Likewise, any business leader is only as strong as the team they build around them. Leveraging diverse perspectives, working towards common goals, and supporting one another are essential to drive innovation and achieve success.
Lesson: Hire, develop and empower the talent around you through open communication and a supportive environment.
Grant Thornton’s proven expertise, principled execution and the personalised experience we build has made us a valued team member for so many of our clients in their journey to success. We’re just as proud to partner with Jess Fox in her remarkable quest for Olympic Gold in Paris and Canoe Slalom World Cup Championship in Spain.
