India crushed Sri Lanka 3 - 0. This is the 1st time that an Indian Cricket Team has achieved this feat overseas.
What are the business lessons that this victory offers business professionals?
1. Leadership Style: Virat Kohli took over the mantle of captainship from MS Dhoni – arguably India’s most successful captain. But Kohli did not try to emulate the captaincy style of Dhoni; instead, he chose to let his style of captaincy flower. Take Dhoni - he was cool as a cucumber when everybody around him, including the whole nation, was losing theirs – no wonder he earned the sobriquet of Captain Cool. Kohli, on the other hand, wears his aggression on his sleeve & demonstrates it at every opportunity on the field. No wonder his captaincy is beginning to be associated with aggression!
Business Lesson for us: Do not copy anybody’s successful formula - be your authentic self!
2. Champion’s mindset: What is the difference between a 'Winner' & a 'Champion' – a winner practices till he get it right; while a champion practices till he never gets it wrong, This Indian team showed it is thinking like a champion. Take No-ball - how has Indian Team handled this issue. They are proudly saying that Hardik Pandya – in this Test Series bowled only 2 no ball, while Mohammed Shami bowled only 1 – no ball. Take Catches – only 2 catches were dropped. What is the aim – 0 no ball & 0 dropped catch? It seems that the Indian cricket team is practicing till every player never gets its act wrong - like a champion!
Business Lesson for us: Try & inculcate, not merely a winner’s mindset but aspire to acquire a champion’s mindset!
3. Trust & security: Take KL Rahul. He was out of Indian Cricket team nursing an injury. Players who took his place performed well. But what was Virat Kohil’s view when Rahul returned back – KL Rahul will always be our 1st choice as an opener because he has served the Indian cricket well in the past; just because he had an unfortunate injury he should not be made to feel insecure that his place in the team is under threat. The confidence reposed in him by his captain did wonder for Rahul – who performed so well in this series that he has broken into the Top 10 world ranking! More importantly, what is the lesson that has gone out to every other cricketer in the team & outside – if you perform well then trust your team management to keep your place in the team secure!
Business Lesson for us: Openly display trust in your team’s ability to deliver. And like KL Rahul they will! Why? Because people & team invariably live up to the expectation you have of them.
4. Never give up hope: Take Wriddhiman Saha. He knew that as long as Dhoni played cricket he would never get a chance to play for India – after all, he was India’s captain & an excellent wicket-keeper batsman. But Saha never once allowed this hopeless situation to prevent him from giving off his best in domestic cricket. No wonder the day dawned when Dhoni himself retired from Test Cricket & Saha was called in to fill his big boots. Was he found wanting? Of course not! His wicket keeping, catching & batting have catapulted him to pole position in the world & he is vying for the label of being acknowledged as the world best wicket keeper batsman!
Business lesson for us: Let me paraphrase Tim Cook who too faced a similar dilemma when he working under Steve Jobs. He knew that as long as Jobs was at Apple he would never get the top job. But despite that, he kept on giving his 100%. When asked why, he simply replied – I will prepare & some day my chance will come & when that day comes I should not be wanting! Acquire Saha & Tim Cook mindset & work ethics & in time your name too will be taken alongside theirs!
5. Not just cricketing skills: Indian cricket team is not just focusing on cricketing skills to select the final 11, but is giving equal importance to non-cricketing attributes that make a great cricketer. Take physical fitness - only with physical fitness will a player have the stamina to bat over a long duration, take sharp singles & that too like a 100 meter sprinter & then go on to field well & save runs & take catches!
Business Lesson for us: To be an excellent business professional require not only business skills, competency & acumen but also good health. Because if a professional is not physically fit then s/he cannot give 100% to the job. Start focusing on your health & wellbeing & witness your performance leapfrog & so will your career!
6. Killer Mindset: This team has a killer mindset!! Despite gaining an unassailable lead 2 – 0 lead in the series, this team did not rest on its laurel but went on to hand Sri Lanka a crushing 3 – 0 defeat! That displays a killer mindset.
Business lesson for us: Do not be happy with achieving success; strive to register overwhelming success so that even your shadows will evoke awe & fear among your opponents - in equal measure!
Do you agree with my analysis? Or, are there more lessons business professionals can learn from the Indian Cricket team. Please share them & make this conversation richer!