Alicia Mandel, the director of Learning and Leadership Development for the U.S. Olympic Committee and Colorado Springs' Olympic University, has the ambitious job of making the key principles of the Olympic Movement come to life. She joined the USOC in August 2006 after a high-powered background in corporate training and development, including working for Citibank from 1987 to 1993, American Express from 1993 to 2003, and a small technology startup in Nashville, Tenn.
I recently spoke to Alicia about Olympic University, and how the principles of the Olympics can be applied by non-Olympians in business and other capacities.
What exactly is Olympic University?
Olympic University offers leadership development, grounded in the Olympic ideals, using sport as a platform or metaphor for learning. We believe we're focusing on the leadership skills that are necessary in today's world to make the world a better place. We believe leaders learn from each other and provide a forum for dialogue about tough issues.
What was the thinking behind the establishment of the program?
The Olympic Movement stands for great things. It's focused on the principles of Olympism — balanced development of mind, body, and character, combining culture and education with a view to promoting peace, understanding, dignity, fair play, and respect for others. We thought that a corporate university founded on those very principles would be a fantastic way to further this movement and these ideals.
How do the principles of Olympism apply to the business world?
How do they not? Imagine if we had leaders in corporate America — and frankly even in the nonprofit sector — who lived by the rules of fair play, respect for others, and balanced development for people.
On a practical level, how are these principles transmitted at Olympic University?
We focus on some of the basic skills toward that kind of leadership. And we do this in a very specific way. We believe adults learn through a series of three things: doing something; then reflecting upon it, whether that is individually or collectively; and finally telling a story about it. All of our experiences are grounded in that framework.
What are the specific programs of Olympic University?
We actually have three things that we do. First, we run open-enrollment type programs, using sport as a platform for leadership. So we have a weeklong program called "Leadership Through Olympic Sport" where people from various companies will come together and spend five days doing five different sports, digging into five different leadership concepts.
It's structured as a day of leveraging strengths (using the sport of judo), a day of emotional intelligence (using fencing), a day of adapting to change (using volleyball), a day of listening skills (using the Paralympic sport of goalball), and finally a day spent focused on recovery and renewal (taught by some of our sports psychologists who work directly with the athletes). These programs all teach in a very experiential way, using Olympic athletes and having an Olympic experience, yet focusing on a very basic leadership concept.
We also have conferences. For example, in April we're hosting a "Women in Leadership" conference. Using both sport and leveraging our network, we're able to combine a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a forum for new thinking and dialogue among participants and facilitators surrounding key issues and trends facing women today.
Finally, we do customized programs for companies, divisions, teams, and so on, that focus on key issues specific to that company, division, or team.
All of our customized programs give participants a real Olympic or Paralympic experience — whether that means touring the U.S. Olympic Training Center here in Colorado Springs, interacting with athletes over a meal or through an athlete panel, lighting our torch, or learning a new sport with the athletes and coaches. It's an experience you can't get anywhere else.
What does the USOC get out of Olympic University?
The USOC has a fabulous mission and is an incredibly important movement. Unfortunately, most people only experience it for 17 days every 4 years. Olympic University helps to make the movement come to life for people every day, in very relevant and practical terms. It absolutely furthers the mission and makes the world a better, more connected, and peaceful place.
How can individuals, companies, and other organizations get involved?
Olympic University is open to individuals, corporations, and organizations in the nonprofit sector. People can get involved through signing up for one of our programs, attending a conference, or bringing a whole team, division, or company on-site for a customized program based on the needs of the organization.
From your vantage point as an experienced businessperson now in a leadership position, what are the common characteristics of Olympians?
Two principal things. First is an absolute passion for what they're doing. I've coached many leaders and have consistently found that the best ones have a genuine passion for what they do every day. Whether it's the actual product they're selling, the industry they're in, or the people that they interact with, the level of passion -- which of course drives commitment and dedication -- is the thing that drives their success. Just like Olympians.
Secondly, I'd have to say a complete drive for excellence. In Olympic sport, the difference between first place and last place can be in hundredths of a second. Olympians spend all their time pushing to be the best, trying to improve every single time, never saying "enough is enough."
We have a saying around here — "amazing awaits." You'll be seeing a lot of that branding as we move toward Beijing. But the truth is, for leaders or any individual who has that drive for excellence, amazing really does await — whether it's on a sports field or in the office.
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