Last night, I watched with great pride and awe the American beach volleyball duo of Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor beat Norway 3-0.  Like their American swimming teammate, Michael Phelps, they are sensational to watch.  They’re so dramatically superior to the world’s best competitors, it’s not hard to believe it’s been a full year since May/Walsh have lost a single match.  What keeps these athletes at the top and earning gold?  A ferocious desire to win, backed by action.  A competitive spirit is important in sports, and it’s also critical to win in business.

I’m paraphrasing here, but after the match against Norway last night, Walsh commented to a broadcast journalist, “We get a lot of flak for being too competitive.”  That quickly brought to mind one of my favorite quotes from Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda, “Listen, if you start worrying about the people in the stands, before too long you’re up in the stands with them.”  You can bet Walsh and May don’t listen too long to their critics.  They’re too busy winning and being the world’s best. 

I’ve encountered many businesses in my 25 year career and there are often two types – those who are comfortable, and those who drive and drive and drive and won’t rest until they achieve their goals.  And when they do achieve those goals, they realize those goals weren’t set high enough and they strive for greater heights.  And when they become the best in the world, they continue to strive to beat their own best performance.  Comfort breeds mediocrity.  Competitiveness and drive breeds gold medal winners.  Are you taking the action necessary to bring home the gold in your field?