Fantastic or a Flop?

Leadership Lessons: Timeless Stories for the Modern Leader

  1. Leadership Lesson
  2. Fantastic or a Flop?
Your style is your own. Don’t worry if it is not traditional. It is right for you. 

In 1968, sports history was made. A young man by the name of Dick Fosbury was able to clear the high jump at a record-setting height of seven feet, four and a half inches (2.24 meters).

He set an Olympic record and received the acclaim of the world for his accomplishment. Though the record height alone is worthy of praise, it is the method Dick used that brings the most admiration and attention.

When Dick began his jumping career he watched and learned from the big boys on his high school team and later his college teammates. He carefully tried to emulate their style and improve his own skills, although somehow it didn’t feel right when he tried their method of jumping. He experimented with other styles until he finally developed for himself a strange, funny sort of “flop over the bar” kind of jump. When he used it he was able to leap much higher than when he used the traditional methods. It was a very awkward-looking jump and it was not approved of by Dick’s coaches. They criticized him endlessly and tried to steer him away from this funny “flopping” jump style.

But Dick knew he was right. As he said, “I didn’t change my style. It changed me.” He continued to develop this new approach contrary to the advice of his coaches. It was not until he began to clear seven feet at a regular rate that the coaches started to relent and believe in Dick’s strange style. The rest is history. Not only did Dick Fosbury go on to make world record-breaking jumps, he also changed the entire high jumping methodology. His Fosbury Flop, as his jump style is now called, is the most popular and successful jumping style in the event.

Each of us has a style all our own. Sometimes it is not “traditional” and we have to fight against the criticism of our coaches. Don’t change the style that is the essence of who you are. You know you the best. Study and analyze your current and potential talents and inclinations. Mold and develop these into a style of working that you are comfortable with, that is natural to you, and that produces the results you seek. Listen, watch, and learn all you can. Practice diligently. But with all that hard work be true to what is you. Let your style change you, and you will qualify to stand with the best.

 

Application

A few tips:

  1. Observe, study, and learn from others who excel in your chosen field. Note the skills that lead them to successes.
  2. Know your own tendencies, talents, and skills. Mold these into your style to help you improve your performance in sport, at home, or work.

  3. Pay attention to your “coaches,” but be true to yourself. The result of your own performance is the real test.
  4. The techniques and methods of the past are often replaced by new ones. Be a pioneer and explore breakthroughs in your field.

About the Author

John Parker Stewart is a renowned, award-winning author, coach, and speaker. He and his Stewart Leadership team provide coaching and consulting services to clients globally on change management, leadership development, talent management, and team performance.