The Olympic Sized Lesson
In the 1932 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, a dramatic incident occurred during the three-day equestrian event, which included a grueling 22-mile cross-country endurance test filled with challenging obstacles.
While in the lead one of the competitors, Col. Clarence von Rosen Jr., representing Sweden, made a remarkable decision. While tackling the course, his horse began to struggle visibly and was in distress due to the physical demands of the challenging terrain. Recognizing the signs of exhaustion and potential harm to his horse, Col. von Rosen chose to pull out of the competition voluntarily.
Olympic medals were and are seen as a high honor, his decision was notable because it prioritized the well-being of his horse over personal glory or national pride.
This story reminds leaders that compassion, ethics, and the courage to make tough choices are hallmarks of transformative leadership. By putting people first, fostering trust, and staying aligned with core values, leaders can inspire loyalty and create an environment where their team thrives.
As leaders working to transform the culture of our organization we can take some lessons from Col. von Rosen.
- As a leader we ensure we are attuned to team members’ physical and mental wellbeing and recognize when workloads, stress, or challenging conditions might be pushing them too hard, and adjust goals or expectations to prevent burnout.
- Be attentive to when a project, strategy, or team member is struggling and might need to step back or change course. A good leader knows when to pivot or regroup rather than pushing forward at any cost.
- Encourage sustainable practices within your team, focusing on long-term success
rather than short-term wins. Invest in your team’s development and create an environment that fosters growth, resilience, and satisfaction over time.
Submitted By:
Lou Adams
Mentor/Instructor
National Training Center for Transformational Leadership
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Hidden Potential The Science of Achieving Greater Things
By Adam Grant
“Hidden Potential offers a new framework for raising aspirations and exceeding expectations. Adam Grant weaves together groundbreaking evidence, surprise insights, and vivid story telling that takes us from the classroom to the boardroom; the playground to the Olympics, and underground to outer space. He shows that progress depends less on how hard you work than how well you learn. Growth is not about the genius you possess – it’s about the character you develop. Grant explores how to build the character skills and motivational structures to realize our own potential, and how to design systems that create opportunities for those who have been underrated and overlooked.”
