There is quite a lot that we can learn as project managers from the United States Olympic win in the 400m freestyle relay on Sunday.

1.) Stay focused only on the task at hand

How often do you or your team members lose focus on your project deliverables? 

Don’t get distracted by naysayers or detractors that tell you that your project will never succeed.  Focus only on doing the job that you are getting paid to do and do it to the very best of your abilities. 

French swimmer, Alain Bernard, the previous holder of the 100-meter record, lost his focus by announcing to the media that his relay team would “smash” the Americans and stop Michael Phelps’ bid for a historic eight gold medals in one Olympics.  This trash talk only seemed to fire up the US team and bring them closer together in their goal of winning the gold.  And the US didn’t lose their focus by shooting back at the French.  They focused on their task at hand and let the race do the talking for them. 

2.) Don’t focus on your team’s shortcomings

Do you and your team members focus more on your abilities or your liabilities?

The US was considered an underdog to the French team in this event.  But during the final leg, just as it appeared the US chances of claiming the gold were gone forever, Jason Lezak, the oldest man on the US team, came from a full body length behind the French swimmer Alain Bernard (a former 100m world record holder) in the last 25 meters to win the relay by a fingertip!  “Old man” Lezak was able to achieve the fastest relay leg in history with a staggering 46.06 time!

3.) Don’t make excuses

Do you ever find yourself making excuses or blaming others when things aren’t going as well as you would like?

When Lezak dove in during the last leg of the relay on the US side, it would have been easy for him to make excuses that the US was already too far behind the French to make a difference.  Instead, he did what he and his teammates set out to do - win the gold by focusing and not giving up!

Similarly, Michael Phelps could have easily complained that he was tired after finishing the 200-meter butterfly semifinals a mere 68 minutes before this race.  Or he could have focused on the smog and humidity or a thousand other factors.  But he focused on just the race at hand and did what he is at the Olympics to do - win the gold!

4.) Stay gracious

Do you take the time to appreciate others regardless if you and your team are successful or not?

It has been reported that the Chinese crowds and athletes have been extremely gracious throughout the games (well, okay, with the exception of the stabbing incident) and have applauded and cheered winners regardless of their nationality.  This shows not only a country that has amazed the world with their ability to host the olympics, but a country well on its way of becoming a world leader in global affairs.