What Simone Biles can teach us about leadership

I’ve been watching the Olympic trials and am so excited to start watching every night. I love the Olympics—the dedication, the perseverance, the crying moms in the stands.

A little-known secret: I had dreams of trying out for the 1984 women’s Olympic gymnastics team. The only problem was that I wasn’t anywhere close to good enough. These athletes are amazing, but there is one that truly stands out for more than her obvious skills and my envy: Simone Biles. Watching her behavior during the trials made me think about what a leader looks like.

Simone is clearly a leader in the sport and a leader of the team. But I think she is an example for more than other gymnasts or even other athletes. Simone exemplifies so many of the qualities of a Connected Leader. She models vulnerability, openness, and authenticity, as seen when she shared her experience at the last Olympics. She didn’t sugarcoat her fears of the reactions to her very unpopular decision to take care of herself. Fortunately, us mere mortals have come around.

Simone also displays the everyday qualities of a Connected Leader. When somebody’s beam routine was a little shaky, she was right there to say, “I’ve been there, it’s okay.” She got them laughing to help them shake it off. She brought productive energy, empathy, and support so their minds were in the right place for their next event. And when somebody’s floor routine went phenomenally, she was there to congratulate, celebrate, and highlight how well they did. She amplified their success.