by Jennie Bimson, Olympian, Commonwealth medallist, Founder and Director of Gold Ambassadors.
As an Olympian who dedicated over a decade to elite sports, I've experienced some incredible highs but also some challenging lows. This journey has taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, resilience, and the importance of maintaining a clear vision, which have shaped my approach to life beyond the field.
Reflecting on those years, I see how many of these lessons directly apply to leadership roles. Whether you're a headteacher, an aspiring school leader, or someone looking to guide others, the principles that led me as an athlete can provide powerful insight for leadership in any context.
Be persistent and consistent
My success as an athlete was probably only down to about five per cent natural talent; the other 95 per cent was hard work and a positive attitude.
I wasn't a natural hockey player–I was a footballer, but they wouldn't let girls play football at my secondary school. Luckily, I loved hockey, and I had a great teacher whose enthusiasm for the sport had a big impact on me.
Nevertheless, there were plenty of times I could have quit hockey when things got tough. But I've learnt that if you can stick at something when it gets difficult, you'll go a long way.
It's crucial for those in leadership roles to instil a culture of perseverance in their team because consistent effort will eventually lead to long-term success.
Remember the big picture
Throughout my career, I have always kept the bigger picture in mind, especially when times got tough. That's not to say I'm single-minded, but keeping the overall goal in sight can help overcome setbacks and obstacles.
Setting small, achievable goals that contribute to a larger objective can help you avoid overwhelm. For me, that meant aiming for the next World Cup or Commonwealth Games rather than being fixated on making it to the Olympics.
Having that bigger picture is also vital when things get tough. I was gutted when I didn't make the Olympic training squad in 2000, but I didn't wallow for too long. I was young and pragmatic and knew there would be other opportunities. That bigger picture helped get me through.
Leaders need to be clear on their goals and be sure that every action contributes to this larger purpose. It's about constantly working toward those goals in small, incremental steps, even when immediate results might not be visible.
Build the right team
I learnt the importance of surrounding myself with the right people from a young age. As a teenager and at university, I would find myself saying no to party invitations, late-night drinking and girls' holidays. Instead, I threw myself into training and found like-minded friends who supported my lifestyle.
As an athlete, there are no shortcuts in anything that you do. You only see people perform at the Olympics every four years. You don't see the work behind the scenes and the people who've supported them, from family to teammates to coaches and professionals.
In leadership, you need a strong, collaborative team that shares your mission and values. Building one can take time, but the right people will help you create a supportive environment where everyone works towards the same goals.
Balance passion with well-being
My passion for hockey helped drive my success. If I'm honest, it was more of an obsession, but obsessions can be unhealthy, so let's talk about passion.
Passion for your work is incredibly helpful, but if I've learnt anything since retiring from hockey, it's that a healthy work-life balance is equally important. After a decade in elite sports, I was mentally burnt out–you can't keep going at that level indefinitely.
As a director, headteacher, or senior figure, it's important to lead by example. That means being committed to your work and the well-being of yourself and those around you. Encouraging a healthy work-life balance in your team can prevent burnout and help create a positive culture.
Adapt and reinvent in leadership
Transitioning from elite sports to a new career in PR and marketing taught me the importance of adaptability. Adjusting to ‘normal’ life and the real working world was hard.
At first, I felt like I didn't have the right skills, and my resilience came into play for those first few years. I've since been able to adapt and reinvent myself. I know it's not an easy task, but regularly reflecting on my performance has been key to my growth.
Being open to change and embracing new trends and technologies is essential as a school leader. It's about guiding your school through transitions with flexibility and innovation.
Stand up to imposter syndrome
When I first stepped onto a professional hockey field, I felt like a fraud. Coming from a working-class family in Dudley, the world of public schools and posh accents was a million miles from my reality.
I'd always been the best in my local area, but here I was just another face in the crowd. The first real knock came when I didn't make the team at sixteen. It was devastating. I could have easily let that rejection define me, but something inside me snapped. I was tired of feeling like I didn't belong, so I decided to prove everyone wrong. It's a process I've had to go through again since retiring from sport.
If you feel like an imposter, know you're not alone. It's a common feeling, especially when you're breaking new ground. Remember, your background is your strength, giving you a unique perspective. And be mindful of the diverse backgrounds of your staff and students, too, so you can create an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and can succeed.
Turn a negative into a positive
A cornerstone of effective leadership is the ability to transform adversity into opportunity. With a resilient mindset, you can navigate challenges and inspire others to do the same. But this requires a conscious shift in how you see setbacks–converting them from obstacles into opportunities.
I've faced many challenges during my career, from injuries to other major setbacks. Each time, I've made a conscious effort to reframe the experience as an opportunity for learning and development. For example, when a significant injury sidelined me from a training camp, I put all my energy into rehabilitation. I could return stronger and more determined, with better mental resilience.
Everyone experiences setbacks. The key lies in how we respond to them. A solution-orientated mindset can promote a culture of resilience, innovation, and continuous improvement.
It's all about the journey
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that it's the journey, not the destination, that truly matters. Focus on the process and how you can improve it, celebrate your team's small wins and resilience, and nurture a growth mindset where progress, not perfection, is the ultimate goal.
Looking back on my ten years in elite sport, I realise it wasn't just about the Olympics. It was the countless hours of training, the setbacks, the comebacks, and the friendships forged along the way. There were times when I questioned whether I could continue, but I persisted. It's those experiences that shaped me into the person I am today.
Performance is a lifestyle. It's about embracing the ups and downs and finding ways to learn from every experience. The key is to keep moving forward, to stay focused on the next challenge, and to find the positives in every situation.
This blog is based on an Olympic Mindset podcast from www.ompcoach.com.
