I’ve always been fascinated by the Olympics! They showcase the world’s highest concentration of perfection seekers, trying to attain that perfect 10.000 or equivalent.
But does perfection matter for you to win? What can we learn from the very few athletes who kept succeeding in the stadiums and after their sports careers?
I might have a skewed perspective on success in sports. The first Olympic games I followed with assiduity were the Moscow games in 1980. It was the biggest boycott in history. The most significant victory for USSR and its “allies” with 165 gold medals won out of 205.
Many of the gold medalists of the 1980 Games were obsessed with perfection. They tried to enhance their performance at any cost. Most were soon forgotten and disillusioned.
By contrast, the most successful athletes learned how to adapt to their environment to keep winning. From Usain Bolt, Michael Jordan, to Serena Williams, they built a model – and sometimes an empire – that they replicated beyond their original discipline.
You can do it too!
Here are the four things I typically pay attention to build a success pattern for my products:
1 – Get the right insights.
You likely operate in a specific ecosystem. Ensure you know all the key players and their most significant problems to keep improving your product or service.
2 – Reduce bias.
Bias is present in any interaction you’ll have with customers, partners, or management. By asking the right open-ended questions, you’ll go a long way toward reducing it.
3 – Prepare for the worst.
Build low-mid-high scenarios on how your product will perform, which reactions it will receive. Focus on first-order events you can directly influence and have a ready-to-execute plan.
4 – Model what success will look like.
With your scenarios in mind, agree on your definition of success upfront with your team and management. Remember, a different context will bring a different definition of success.
These steps have little to do with perfection. They’re more about establishing a process and the critical thinking that will give you the insights you need to build the right products and succeed.
And if you come to a point where you feel stuck, let The Sherpa be your guide!