In my reading, I seek out stories about companies and executives working to build high performing companies and a better world. Here I’ve curated several articles from recent months that caught my attention. 

The Olympics never fail to inspire my soul at what a human being can accomplish through focus, intensity, and continual learning. For instance, the performance of the U.S Women’s Gymnastics team this year was nothing short of remarkable. The team’s 8.209 point victory by the United States over Russia is the largest margin of victory at a major gymnastics meet on record. In the four previous Olympics this century, the margin of victory has not exceeded 1.5 points. They also became the first American women's team to win back-to-back gold medals at the Olympics. 

Overall, the U.S. won a record breaking 121 medals in Rio - surpassing the last record of 110 in Beijing. What is clear is that the U.S. not only has good athletes, but a support system in place that nurtures, trains, and builds medal winners.  

I’m currently working with several companies and their senior teams who are also remarkable. As with the U.S. Olympic organization, they know how to produce great performers and sustain high performance over time. In the case of each company, the competitive ground is shifting around them with disruptive strategies and new market entrants. But I see that these teams possess three clear competencies that will set them apart and make them winners.    

There is always a little more down time to think and reflect in the summer. Whether you are away on vacation, or just finding a few more quiet moments in your summer calendar, you can use that time to look for inspiration for the busy Fall ahead.

I’ve gone back through my writing to revisit the ideas and people that most inspired me in my work during the past year. I hope you will use these ideas as a jumping-off point for your own reflections on ideas that inspire you and the people who make the ideas real.