Reframing Setbacks into Superpowers: An Olympian's Secrets to Unlocking Team Potential

I have a lot of time for Abdul Buhari, the ex 2012 London Olympian, firstly and foremost because Abdul always makes time for people, he is one of the most genuine and generous people I have had the pleasure to meet and work with. Considering all his obligations I am always amazed at his ability to help others. It’s no wonder he made a great Chair of the UK Athletics Committee and is so well respected. Certainly some learning there for me. Great role modelling.

As we talked I couldn't help but be struck by the parallels between his experiences as an elite athlete and the challenges faced by middle managers striving to build high-performing teams and keep their own motivation under pressure. Abdul's insights, forged through years of intense training and competition, offered a unique perspective on two critical elements of team success: reframing challenges and setbacks, and cultivating a supportive yet competitive environment. 

I have often found in my work that great culture and accountability and competitive spirit is not always an easy balance to strike

Reframing Challenges as Opportunities

One of the standout moments in our conversation was when Abdul shared a personal story about a significant injury he sustained in 2010. Rather than dwelling on the setback, he chose to reframe it as a blessing in disguise. 

In 2010 during the first competition of the year while competing for England at an international event. After being selected to represent Britain at the Common Wealth Games in Dehli, disaster struck. He suffered a torn right adductor off the bone and a grade three tear in his left quad - both serious injuries. 

As a result of these injuries, Abdul was unable to participate in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. A huge blow to his career and all his preparations and a huge psychological hit.

The prognosis was surgery, steroid injections or conservative rehab. Yet he decided to reframe his approach. Instead of dwelling on the negative aspects of being injured, he viewed it as a chance to focus on his weaknesses and transform them into strengths. 

"So rather than saying, Oh, I'm injured, I thought, no, it's an opportunity to work on the weaknesses to make them strengths. And I did just that and as a consequence of that approach, I came out and won the British championships the following year,"

This change in mindset proved beneficial and Abdul attributes this success to his positive reframing of the injury situation.

Abdul emphasised that this experience taught him the importance of finding positivity in challenging circumstances, no matter how small. He encourages holding onto that "small flame of positiveness" and building upon it until it becomes a "massive flame," potentially leading to success.

This mindset shift is precisely the kind of approach that can make all the difference for managers leading teams through turbulent times. As Abdul explained, 

"Sometimes when things happen that you didn’t want or you weren't expecting to happen, try as much as possible to plant some positive seeds, no matter how small they are and just hold on to that and then just build on it”

As we know the power of reframing is well-documented in the field of positive psychology. Research has shown that individuals who are able to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth and learning tend to exhibit higher levels of resilience, adaptability, and overall well-being. It’s not always easy, when we are burdened by our bias and in times of pressure, however, reframing is a crucial skill for managers to cultivate not just for themselves, but for their teams, as setbacks and obstacles are an inevitable part of the journey towards high performance.

Abdul reflected,

"If you go out there saying, 'Actually, this hasn't worked out, but I will focus on being positive about how I approach it and how I deal with it,' that's going to change your approach, and then inevitably, that healing we require will probably be expedited quicker than we expected it to be."

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Building a Supportive and Competitive Environment

Alongside his ability to reframe challenges, Abdul's insights on the importance of a supportive yet competitive team environment struck a chord. In the world of elite athletics, where the margins for success are razor-thin, Abdul thrived in a setting where each team member was focused on their own event, but also pushed one another to greater heights.

This is a common theme I have met in many work environments. We have all been brought up through a culture of competing and beating our peers and as we leave the education system we realise that was the last time we ever had to work alone and teamwork becomes a far more important way to achieve your individual success.

"In my team I had to be the best at the discus throwing, not the best at sprinting, That was the sprinters job and that's fine. I mean, it's actually really healthy, because it creates a really dynamic and competitive environment where we all push each other, whether the gym or the track, because ultimately, we all want to be the best we can be in whatever chosen event we're competing in."

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The role clarity, stuck out for me here and is something I have discussed before in my interview with Dr Phil Porter, the importance of role clarity in times of crisis.This delicate balance between individual focus and collective support is something that managers should strive to cultivate within their own teams. As Abdul pointed out,

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"Competitiveness in the right environment isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it should be a motivator to try and get some more growth, right? If you're constantly comfortable, you won't grow."

The psychological research supports Abdul's perspective. Studies have shown that a combination of individual accountability and team-based support can lead to higher levels of motivation, engagement, and ultimately, performance. When team members feel that they have a clear role to play and the freedom to excel in their area of expertise, while also benefiting from the camaraderie and encouragement of their colleagues, the stage is set for remarkable achievements.

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The Role of Rituals

As our conversation progressed, the topic of rituals emerged as a powerful tool for managers seeking to cultivate high-performing teams. Abdul's own experiences as an athlete highlighted the importance of consistency and reliability in his training and preparation. These are the same attributes that Team Rituals can instill.

"I was just relaxed. I just walked in the routine I had. I walked into the circle with my right foot first, and then that was it. I just happened to train like that when I was training. And so it became automatic for me." This sense of routine and predictability played a crucial role in Abdul's ability to perform under pressure. As he explained, "If you can keep that mindset  exactly the same, irrespective of who's around, that typically helps you stay calm to perform well."

Academic literature supports this. Rituals have been found to decrease the neural response to performance failure. Simply the repetitive practice environment can reduce stress and anxiety and lead to better performance.

“Here we offer preliminary support for the hypothesis that even an arbitrary ritual acts as a palliative by dulling the neural response to performance failure.”

Rituals, in this context, can be defined as intentional behaviours that are repeated in a specific space and time, with the aim of achieving a greater good. For managers, the strategic implementation of rituals can provide a powerful framework for building team cohesion, fostering a positive mindset, and ultimately, driving high performance.

One potential ritual could be a weekly team meeting, where members come together to share progress, celebrate successes, and address challenges. By making this a consistent, predictable event, managers can create a sense of stability and belonging within the team, while also providing a structured platform for open communication and collaboration.

The power of rituals lies in their ability to create a sense of predictability and control in an often unpredictable and chaotic work environment. As Abdul's experiences have shown, the consistency and reliability of these intentional behaviours can have a profound impact on an individual and a team's ability to perform at their best, even in the face of adversity.

Thriving in High-Performing Teams

The insights gleaned from my conversation with Abdul Buhari offer a compelling roadmap for managers seeking to build and sustain high-performing teams. By embracing the power of reframing challenges, cultivating a supportive yet competitive environment, and strategically implementing rituals, managers can unlock the full potential of their teams and drive remarkable results.

The psychological research supports the efficacy of these approaches. Studies have shown that individuals who are able to reframe setbacks as opportunities for growth exhibit higher levels of resilience, adaptability, and overall well-being. Similarly, teams that strike a balance between individual accountability and collective support tend to demonstrate greater motivation, engagement, and performance.

As for the role of rituals, the literature is clear: the consistent implementation of intentional behaviors can have a profound impact on our ability to perform under pressure, manage stress, and maintain a positive mindset. By creating predictable spaces and guidelines for team members to engage in these practices, managers can foster a sense of stability, belonging, and shared purpose that is essential for high-performance.

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In summary, the key lessons from my conversation with Abdul Buhari are as follows:

1. Reframe challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth. Cultivate a mindset that sees obstacles as chances to improve and evolve, rather than insurmountable barriers.
   
   
2. Foster a supportive yet competitive environment. Encourage team members to excel in their areas of expertise while also pushing one another to greater heights.
   
   
3. Strategically implement rituals to build team cohesion and drive high performance. Create predictable spaces and intentional behaviors that promote stability, self-awareness and collective success.
   
   

By embracing these principles and putting them into practice, managers can unlock the full potential of their teams, navigate the inevitable challenges of the modern workplace, and lead their organisations to new heights of success.

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Thank you Abdul. It was a great pleasure to spend the time with you and share your wisdom. This interview is part of a research series for The Ritual Playbook for Managers

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