158. Love Mondays: Expect More, Achieve More – Lessons from the Paralympics.
Expect More, Achieve More:
Lessons from the Paralympics.
Issue 158 – September 2 2024
“Challenge your unconscious biases, your negative perceptions and lift your expectation of what you think people with a disability can do.”
– Dylan Alcott AO, Paralympian and Australian of the Year 2022
Monday Musing: The Paralympics prove it—greatness isn’t just about ability, it’s about daring to defy expectations.
As the Paralympics light up our screens with some truly awe-inspiring athleticism, I’m reminded of when I had the privilege of listening to Dylan Alcott AO speak at Coca-Cola’s ‘Level the Playing Field’ Summit last year.
Dylan’s journey is nothing short of phenomenal. From winning gold in wheelchair basketball at the 2008 Paralympics to smashing records in tennis—15 singles and 8 doubles Grand Slam titles—he’s proven time and again that limits are meant to be broken.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Dylan is also celebrated for his philanthropy and the impactful work he does through the Dylan Alcott Foundation.
What struck me most from Dylan’s speech was his insight into the real challenge he faces: not his disability, but the low expectations others have about what people with disabilities can achieve.
It made me think—how often do we, even unintentionally, set the bar too low for others? And what happens when those in power—whether it’s HR leaders, politicians, or CEOs—fail to see the full spectrum of potential in individuals with disabilities?
Watching these Paralympians, who’ve hurdled over more barriers than most of us could ever imagine, is a powerful reminder that it’s critical we widen our lens and recognise that every single person has unique strengths just waiting to shine. We need to make sure we encourage, support, resource and champion the fullness of their potential.
Let’s start expecting more, and see what extraordinary things unfold.
Take charge of your Monday.
Think
Are there any unconscious biases or low expectations that you can challenge yourself to change?
Feel
Compelled to tune into the Paralympics and be inspired by the competitive spirit and athletic prowess of these athletes and the stories that sit behind them.
Do
Commit to breaking down the barriers in your own mind and in the spaces where you lead. Let’s make sure we’re not the ones holding others back.
A peek into my week.
What I’ve been up to over the week that was.
‘Resonate’: A Night to Remember
What an absolute joy it was last week for our team at Emergent to partner with my fabulous friend Phill Nosworthy and his incredible crew at Nosworthy Group. Together, we brought an exciting array of people together for an evening filled with stimulating conversations and meaningful connections.
We’re both passionate believers that we need more spaces and places to connect with folks who share our values but are unlike-minded and our ‘Resonate’ event was an opportunity to do just that. Still buzzing.
Don’t just live Mondays,
love Mondays.
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