{"id":7039,"date":"2023-07-20T02:50:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T21:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monsterindia.com\/career-advice\/9-leadership-lessons-from-joseph-schooling-7039\/"},"modified":"2023-07-20T12:28:15","modified_gmt":"2023-07-20T06:58:15","slug":"9-leadership-lessons-from-joseph-schooling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/9-leadership-lessons-from-joseph-schooling\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Leadership Lessons from Joseph Schooling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>During the Rio Olympics, there was a lot of excitement surrounding a swimmer from Singapore named Joseph Schooling. He became famous for defeating his childhood hero, Michael Phelps, in the 100m butterfly race and winning Singapore&#8217;s first-ever Olympic medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like any other athlete, Joseph faced challenges along the way. But these obstacles didn&#8217;t stop him from achieving his dream. He woke up early every day to train, even in cold weather and pools. He pushed through the pain and left his comfortable life in Singapore to pursue his goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Joseph&#8217;s journey to success is truly inspiring, and we can learn valuable lessons from him that can help us become better leaders in our workplaces, whether we are already in leadership roles or aspiring to be leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Leadership Lessons from Joseph<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Set yourself steep goals<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Joseph was only six years old when he decided he wanted to become an Olympian. It\u2019s a big dream for a kid, especially for a kid from a small country like Singapore.<\/li><li>But knowing that his goal was ambitious helped him push himself even harder to achieve it.<\/li><li>At work, it\u2019s easy to set goals that are easy to achieve, because of our fear of failure.<\/li><li>But by doing this, we miss the opportunity to discover more about ourselves and our abilities, by pushing ourselves to our limits. Aim for a higher target and push yourself to reach your own high expectations.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. It\u2019s all about discipline<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>As an athlete, discipline is the name of the game. During training, Joseph stuck to a strict schedule, a strict diet, and even an stricter programme.<\/li><li>Challenging as it was for a college student to miss parties and pass on a large meal of burger and fries, he did it all for the love of swimming and his dream to bring home an Olympic medal.<\/li><li>Today\u2019s workplaces allow for increased flexibility, but the work still needs to get done. Even if you\u2019re allowed to arrive at work by 11am and leave at 3pm, you\u2019ve still got to achieve your goals and complete your work to the best of your ability.<\/li><li>Discipline is everything when it comes to managing your workload, your time, and your people. A great leader knows how to discipline himself, but also ensures their direct reports can push themselves, too.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Fail with a smile on your face<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>During the 2012 London Olympics, officials told Joseph \u2013 just minutes before competing \u2013 that he couldn\u2019t use some of his swimming gear, because of branding issues.<\/li><li>At the time, the then-17-year-old said on his Twitter page that the change rocked his focus, and affected his swim time, although \u201che wasn\u2019t making excuses\u201d. He was upset and annoyed, but decided to just get on with it and work towards the next Olympic Games.<\/li><li>At some point, we will all face failures and disappointments \u2013 whether they\u2019re brought on by others or ourselves. But it\u2019s how you handle failure and disappointment that separates the men from the boys.<\/li><li>Instead of moaning about it and letting it affect you long-term, review what happened, ask yourself where things went wrong, and figure out a way to fix it or ensure it doesn\u2019t happen again in the future. Accepting failure and problem-solving is key for good leaders.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Take a risk and make sacrifices<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Leaving home and moving to the US to train is not an easy thing for a 14-year-old boy to do. Being far away from family, friends and a familiar environment and culture was difficult for young Joseph, but he knew that if he didn\u2019t take the risk, he wouldn\u2019t achieve his dreams.<\/li><li>In the workplace \u2013 and often with business in general \u2013 the best results stem from taking the biggest risks. Don\u2019t be reckless (calculate your risks!) but don\u2019t hold back.<\/li><li>If you think you can achieve something that\u2019s never been done before for your company, why not go for it? It\u2019s hard to make sacrifices and take risks, but the value it can return can be so worth it.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Always stay humble<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It\u2019s gotta be tempting to strut around like a King after beating three incredible swimming legends, but Joseph has kept his feet firmly on the ground after his incredible win in Rio. In fact, he told reporters, \u201cI\u2019m not a superstar, I\u2019m just that kid who beat Phelps one time\u201d.<\/li><li>No matter how successful you become, or how many times you make the right decisions and take the right risks, don\u2019t let it go to your head.<\/li><li>A certain level of arrogance might be tolerated if you are a really successful global leader, but typically you\u2019re going to want to appear confident, but humble.<\/li><li>Just because you\u2019re on the right track now doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll stay there, and it also doesn\u2019t automatically ensure the respect of your direct reports. That needs to be earned, and being a strong, humble leader is a long-term journey.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Keep your eye on the prize<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>One of the most important factors that took Joseph to victory was that he never lost sight of his goal.<\/li><li>From the little kid who dreamt of being an Olympic swimmer, to the teenager who spent hours training in the pool, until he qualified as an Olympian, Joseph only had a thing in mind.<\/li><li>If you want to reach your goals in the workplace, always be mindful of everything you do. Consider all factors that may have an effect on your plans and remember what the bigger picture is and how badly you want it.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Drive inspiration from others<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Joseph has repeatedly said that Michael Phelps has had the biggest impact on his swimming career. As a young athlete he idolised Phelps, and dreamt of racing alongside him.<\/li><li>When they met, Joseph asked him for advice and took his pointers with gusto. He saw how Phelps made history, and used this as inspiration to make a name for himself.<\/li><li>It\u2019s always a good idea to find someone to look up to at work. In fact, your mentor doesn\u2019t need to work in the same place as you, they just need to be someone who will encourage, advise and push you to do your best.<\/li><li>Other leaders are the best source of inspiration for aspiring ones<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. Appreciate those around you<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>After winning in Rio, Joseph didn\u2019t miss the chance to thank his family, friends and supporters for the support they\u2019ve given him all throughout his journey.<\/li><li>There were even videos featuring his helper \u2013 who he calls his second mum \u2013 and he was also extremely happy to be invited back to his school to meet fellow Singaporeans in different events organised just for him.<\/li><li>Once you reach the top, don\u2019t become a stranger to those who supported and helped you on your way up. Appreciate them and what they have done to contribute to your success.<\/li><li>At the end of the day, whether you stay on top or you end up falling, they will be the same people who will stick by your side, so take good care of them.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>9. When you dream, dream big!<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>As an athlete, the Olympics is the biggest dream you can have \u2013 even though it\u2019s one of the hardest to attain. Joseph dreamt and then worked hard to turn it into a reality.<\/li><li>Sure, a certain amount of inherent talent helped, but that Olympic gold dream was his biggest driver.<\/li><li>At work, don\u2019t settle for a junior or mid-level position if you believe you have a capability to go further.<\/li><li>It doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s going to happen fast (in fact, it almost never does) but if you let your bosses know where you want to get to in your career, they will work with you to ensure you reach your dream.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQ on Leadership Lessons from Joseph Schooling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q:1 Who is Joseph Schooling? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Joseph Schooling is a swimmer from Singapore known for beating Michael Phelps and winning Singapore&#8217;s first Olympic medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q:2 What can we learn from Joseph Schooling&#8217;s journey? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A: We can learn valuable leadership traits like perseverance, dedication, and the ability to overcome challenges to achieve our goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q:3 How did Joseph Schooling prepare for success? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A: He woke up early for training, faced harsh conditions, and made sacrifices, leaving his comfortable life to pursue his dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q:4 What makes Joseph Schooling an inspiring leader? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A: His determination to succeed, and his ability to overcome obstacles, serve as a motivation for others to strive for excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q:5 How can I apply Joseph Schooling&#8217;s leadership lessons in the workplace? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Emulate his dedication, resilience, and willingness to face challenges head-on, fostering a positive and goal-oriented work environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Also Read :<br><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/excited-to-receive-a-job-offer-heres-what-you-should-check-before-you-say-yes-or-no\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"What You Should Check Before Receiving a Job Offer\">What You Should Check Before Receiving a Job Offer<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/4-most-sought-after-skills-in-the-singapore-job-market\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Top 4 Skills in Demand for Singapore Job Market\">Top 4 Skills in Demand for Singapore Job Market<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/4-things-f1-pit-crew-can-teach-us-about-teamwork\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"4 Things F1 Pit Crew can Teach us about Teamwork\">4 Things F1 Pit Crew can Teach us about Teamwork<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During the Rio Olympics, there was a lot of excitement surrounding a swimmer from Singapore named Joseph Schooling. He became famous for defeating his childhood hero, Michael Phelps, in the 100m butterfly race and winning Singapore&#8217;s first-ever Olympic medal. Just like any other athlete, Joseph faced challenges along the way. But these obstacles didn&#8217;t stop [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7040,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-7039","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-motivation-thought-leadership"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7039","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7039"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7039\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18857,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7039\/revisions\/18857"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7040"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}