The leadership style that distinguishes them and how you can apply it this week at work
The Olympics just wrapped up in Paris, and the stars have put on a show.
LeBron has been the de facto leader of USA’s Men’s Basketball, and they marched confidently toward gold.
Simone has launched herself off the mat into the stratosphere of greatest female athletes in history.
Ilona Maher burst onto the international scene, not only with her dominant rugby play, but also with her playful social media posts, and her heart-felt messages of body positivity. Many are saying that Maher won the Olympics—her all-around ascent and positive influence are nothing short of amazing.
That said, what will go missed by most people is the way in which all three of these massive influencers led their teams to greatness, golds, and—in Rugby’s case—their first ever Olympic medal.
They each have led their respective teams, but with distinct styles, reminding us that there is not just one way.
We all lead somebody—family, team, business—so let’s look at these living legends of athletic influence for an idea or two that might just make us more inspirational and effective leaders at work and in our families.
LeBron: The Engine
In LeBron’s case, he has shown us how to drive a team forward with energy, intensity, and determination. Earlier in his career, LeBron received criticism for not stepping up in critical moments and in significant games. It was said he might disappear in the big game or late-game moments. Not anymore.
LeBron has destroyed that critique and become the engine of the best Olympic basketball team in the world, and arguably, ever assembled. They beat teams by a similar margin that the original Dream Team did, and, today, the other international teams are far superior to the teams of the 90’s.
Takeaway: Cultivate your inner passion, drive, and determination. That intensity can serve as an inspirational magnet for your team, helping them to increase their own levels of buy-in, belief, and enthusiasm.
Simone: The Inspiration
Simone shocked the world three years ago when she dropped out of Olympic competition for her safety (“twisties”) and her mental health. Very few humans alive know the cost and commitment required to reach the level of excellence that Simon had already achieved. Yet many ignorant bystanders questioned her and called her a quitter.
Today, Simone is better than ever, dominating the complex and demanding sport of gymnastics, making it look like a walk in the park.
Simone led her team (and her fans) in “inspirational” fashion. She did the inner work, the quiet and the lonely work, dealing with the voices of doubt and negativity, coming out on the other side stronger than ever. She turned disaster into a platform for dominance. She put in the time in the gym, then put in more time with therapists and coaches so that her inner game could elevate to the level of her athletic game. And it did. For the whole world to see.
Simone is an inspiration, not just because she is the GOAT—maybe of all women’s sports—but also because she ascended to “GOAT” in front of us, after descending to disappointment, in front of us. She is a living example of getting back up, doing the work, healing the inner self, and smiling all the way back to the top.
Takeaway: Use your story—the good, bad, and ugly—to fuel your journey of healing and helping others. Keep going. Keep working. Keep climbing. You are an inspirational story in progress.
Ilona: The Instigator
Ilona (ilona) came out of nowhere, for most of us. She made Rugby cool, and turned it into must-watch TV.
Ilona’s social media accounts exploded with growth. Not just because of the way she steam-rolled the competition, looking like a woman-possessed, running through a field of tackling toddlers, but also because she is freaking funny.
Her videos about finding love in the Olympic village were not only laugh-out-loud funny, but she also found ways to rope her teammates into her videos, and her new-found stardom. (“Instigator.”)
What’s more, she used her platform to share heart-felt, sometimes tear-filled, messages of body-positivity. “All bodies are beautiful.”
Side note: It’s incredible that in 2024 so much of our world is still so ignorant and immature that they would make negative comments to this beautiful and powerful woman about her body. Pathetic.
And yet, Ilona used the negativity. She used it to instigate a global conversation around the beauty of different body types. She used the hate to spark a movement of love. She leveraged her pain to promote a message of love and hope and she did so in humorous ways, capturing the attention of millions.
Takeaway: I call Ilona “The Instigator” because she roped her teammates into her world, enriching their lives and their experience of the Olympics. And she instigated a global conversation about body positivity and the beauty in all people. Ask yourself, what pain can I leverage for a positive message? What opportunities can I share with the people around me, making their experience even better?
Conclusion
We all have different styles of leadership. And sometimes, a different situation calls for a different approach.
Reflect on the examples set by LeBron James, Simone Biles, and Ilona Maher—The Engine, The Inspiration, The Instigator—and see what you can apply this week wherever you have influence.
The goal is not to be like someone else. The goal is to be yourself. But also to be an intentional leader, and not lead by default.
