The Olympic Games and office life. Although they might seem light years away from each other, there are multiple parallels which can be drawn between the two. With this in mind, here are three strategies* that professionals can use to take their career to the next level.

#1 – Practice Conscientiousness

One personality attribute that is frequently linked to drive and athletic achievement is conscientiousness. This trait in particular makes both an athlete and every professional dependable, well-organized, disciplined, and goal-oriented. Consequently, those Olympians (and employees alike) holding such a powerful personality mix tend to hold themselves to a high standard and make a constant effort to meet their objectives. Encouraging diligence, perseverance, and commitment to practice and competition, athletes with strong conscientiousness scores have a higher chance of success than those with low scores.

“In the workplace, conscientiousness translates to higher productivity, better quality of work, and a solid commitment to goals. In this sense, developing and strengthening this personality trait is key to pave the career path or the basis for the next professional sprint in a strategic way. It is a characteristic that has strong implications not only in the short term but also in the long run. At the end of the day, professional success and consistency go hand in hand”, observed Dr. Ryne Sherman, Chief Science Officer at Hogan Assessments and Co-Host of The Science of Personality Podcast.

#2 – Visualize and Stay Focused on the Goal

Within the sports universe, the importance of pre-competition routines cannot be overstated; they play an essential role in the outcome, enhancing athletes’ performance and getting them fully ready for the occasion. One traditional Olympian ritual involves actively avoiding distractions. By keeping their sights glued to the track, runners stay focused only on what they need to do to perform at their best. “Similarly, professionals can apply this type of approach in key moments of their careers (e.g. interview for promotion, an important meeting with key stakeholders, etc.) to concentrate on what matters most and maximize their potential”, analysed Dr. Sherman.

Before competing, another common practice for athletes is to spend time trying to visualize themselves performing at their best. This tactic can contribute to further strengthen the Olympian’s confidence, while also reducing their anxiety in critical moments. “These are strategies that professionals may want to exercise and apply, particularly in stressful situations”, added Dr. Sherman.

#3 – Crafting The Perfect Mix Of Cooperation & Competition

In the Olympics, athletes have to compete with each other, but one also sees them helping each other, interacting between themselves before or following events. Certainly, two quite different types of dynamics but equally important, as they complement each other, ultimately boosting their performance potential. The same principles apply to the world of business. By providing feedback, support, encouragement and direction, professionals can continue to compete at the very top of their game, while still being a team player and contributing to the overall vision of a company. “Businesses live and die based on competition but also require cooperation to succeed”, concluded Dr. Sherman.

*Provided by Hogan Assessments