A PULSATING Wimbledon edition has just drawn its curtains, even as the roar for an encore rose to a deafening crescendo.
A new men’s and women’s champion for the first time since 2002 – both of them East Europeans; did show that this year’s tournament was a special one in many ways. The tennis was simply scintillating and there was a freshness that swept through the two weeks in terms of faces and ideas.
It was interesting to note, that one of the most steeped in tradition forums in the world of sport, served up some really interesting unconventional insights. These assume relevance way beyond the confines of the tennis court, and some of them might knock on boardroom doors, where corporate think tanks are huddled in quiet contemplation.
A change of environment
From the red clay of Roland Garros to the green lawns of Wimbledon; there is an acute transition that happens in tennis strategies over the course of just a few weeks, as also a change in list of contenders likely to strike gold. Such is the difference in mentalities required, as also the skill sets needed. A player, who might bite the clay in the first round at the French Open, could threaten to go all the way at Wimbledon. This was evocatively exhibited on the women’s side of the draw this year, where old champions were casually brushed aside, and a flurry of newer stars emerged.
Even in the business world sometimes a change in the ‘playing field’, can reap rich rewards for some companies. A shift in the customer demographic, a favorable policy being passed by the government, a change in consumer wants, desires or attitudes, or sometimes simply the coming of time for a certain idea, can help dramatically change the context of the situation. And help some companies hold all the proverbial aces.
The unknown player who made others quit
The blossoming of the Czech Petra Kvitova seems likely to push many women stalwarts into an early retirement. The uninhibited approach, the benefit of being a rare southpaw at the top end of the women’s game, and a power quotient that might leave others ‘petra’fied; all point to her returning triumphantly over the future. But she will not have the one edge she had this year – the advantage of largely being an unknown quantity.
Many times newer companies entering a competitive market, shy away from their almost paradoxical strategic strongpoint; that of being a newcomer, and being able to see every challenge with a view not burdened by experience. And those who proceed forward with utter fearlessness (Kvitova like) are often the ones that really leave their distinct footprints over the sands of that domain. A quick scan of the companies, which have really made a mark in recent times in the technological arena, seems to corroborate this point.
When Novak had a ‘Davis’ moment
This year has belonged to Novak Djokovic. A player most famous once for impersonating others, is looking to leave his own distinct mark on the game. Perhaps it was only at last year’s Davis Cup triumph for Serbia, that Djokovic began to really take himself seriously. What exactly triggered that transition no one will quite know, but in the New Year Novak was the joker no more. There was a poise, calm and focus which was lacking previously. This wonderfully has begun to complement the talent, which was never in doubt.
In the white collar world as well, potential good leaders make a transition to great ones, sometimes after experiencing such moments of epiphany. From Emperor Asoka after the battle of Kalinga, to Andy Grove who fired himself to literally reboot the Intel Corporation, men at the top after that magic moment, often come back much the stronger…
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Eventually Wimbledon the home of strawberries and cream, adds far more delectable delights to the thinking palate. One needs only to look deeper at the events transpiring to seek inspiration. The grass truly might be greener on the corporate world side, if it learns to bring in the nuances of the serve and volley craft, in its everyday functioning.
The writer is a creative thinking trainer and an independent brand consultant. He is the author of the book, ‘The Madness Starts at 9’ and also the patron saint of a footballing movement called Juhu Beach United, that celebrates, ‘the unfit, out of breath working professional of today’.
