I watched the IPL Final & this is what I observed.
1. Captain’s body language: It was a disappointment! From the moment he got out,#RohitSharma’s facial expression & body language indicated that he had already given up. Even when he led his team on to the field his shoulders were drooping & self-doubt was written all over his face. However it all changed the moment he sensed victory - he got his confidence back. But in the process he had inadvertently broken two axioms of cricket:
a. Job of a captain is not just to win but also to inspire his team members to give of there best in all situations!
b. The game is not over till the last ball is bowled. Indeed, yesterday game got over only when the last ball was bowled!
Lesson:
a. As a business leader, you will face challenges. But never allow your body language to droop. It will have a lower the morale of your team!
b. Persistence pays in business. Let me share this wonderful Japanese saying -He who endures for just half an hour longer than his opponent can achieve victory.
2. Pride, Ego & one man ship did not enter the cricket pitch: Both, #SteveSmith & #MSDhoni had left there ego & pride out of the game. They showed professional respect to each other by seeking, listening & acting on each other's advice. What if this was not this case - chance is the team would have imploded!
Lesson:
a. Neither carries your ego nor your pride to work ( or bedroom!). It will, eventually, cause your downfall!
b. Leverage Crowd Wisdom - reach out to every employee in your business & pose these 2 questions to them:
- Tell me something new?
- What do you think?
You cannot imagine how much you will gain from posing these questions to your team members ...
3. Talent & luck counts in cricket: The owner of Pune team had taken a step on both front. He had got a bunch of talented cricketers together. Then he had learned on astrology & numerology to attract luck. But I guess lady luck favoured MI yesterday!
Lesson: A wise person had said luck is preparation meeting opportunity. Therefore prepare yourself to the highest level & keep working hard ... one day without you realising it lady luck will smile on you!
4. Physical fitness & stamina are the new normal: For players, cricketing talent counts, but in addition, I noticed that every player was in top physical fitness, performed like an athletic & had interminable stamina!
Lesson: Even in business, this is the new mantra. Keep your self mentally physically fit. Only then can your mind deliver peak performance. For your own sake do not commit the mistakes that innumerable young people do - at the start of their career give away their health to earn money. But when they are older & their health has fallen, then they want to giveaways money to get back there health. Alas, it is too late.
5. Cheer efforts of your adversely: Team Vodafone was well represented in the final – the popular models from their advertisement were present & they smiled for the camera; cheering squad lustily cheered each time MI scored or took a wicket & top management too politely applauded the efforts of ‘adversity’. Was it a lesson in 'magnanimity'?
Lesson: As a true professional, please applaud the good performance of your competitor!
What were your thoughts & learning from this season of #IPL? Would love to hear from you