Lessons from an Olympic Vision
John Furlong Inspires
March 3rd 2010

I can’t say enough about John Furlong. When I was in Halifax in 2003, Furlong and Steve Podborski spoke to an international audience of tour operators about the Vancouver campaign to host the Olympics. Furlong did the talking and told an amazing story about watching a world champion Irish sprinter work out.  The sprinter was the best in the world yet he would test himself everyday  sprinting  up stadium stairs  100’s of times a day – every day – throughout  the year. Furlong asked the sprinter why he did this, why he worked so hard given he was already the best in the world? The world champion sprinter explained to Furlong that he knew his competition is always trying to beat him so he deals with this by ensuring no one works harder than he does. He must outwork everybody - this way he can rest assured that he has prepared … this is the only way he knows how to compete...do everything and anything you can to be the best.

 Furlong, then seven years ago, explained that this is what Vancouver was doing with its Olympic bid. Stop at nothing, turn over every rock looking for how to be better and working for the best. He then went onto carefully outline his vision of what would happen should Vancouver win the right to host the games. He explained it would be Canada’s Olympics – not just Vancouver’s – but he really wanted every person in Canada to know this was Canada’s bid and if successful it would be part of every Canadian… the games would be Canada’s games. He then asked every one, not just the Canadians in the audience, but everyone to go home and tell a few people that the Vancouver bid is a good thing. It will be good for Canada and good for the world.

He received a standing ovation … in 2003 … before Vancouver even had the games.  His vision was astounding.. and even more so given how it has come to happen very much as he explained.  Again last night, his closing ceremony speech was perfect. Again he spoke to Canadians – even with an international audience and the world watching – he thanked “Alex”, he thanked the volunteers, the athletes,etc. etc.. but in the end – he thanked Canadians for standing up  and being proud.    Furlong is a little shy and humble yet thinks big and delivers big.  A great example for what it means to be a Canadian today.

So many companies today are facing tough times. A strong vision and plan on how to best compete is curcial to success - not just for the important development of a plan of action - but for inspiration of all those involved - employees, suppliers and customers. Inspiration fosters unity and pride - an emotional outcome that proves priceless in its ability to both motivate and rally action.  We saw it in Vancouver and we would be wise to apply it to our corporate journeys. 

Langford Corporate Adventure constructs team building programs to showcase synergies, stretch potentials and inspire. Our adventures and retreats are fun, unique and current. Our corporate adventures and retreats are positioned to reflect the range of "outdoor bests" in Ontario - Toronto Islands, Algonquin Park, Prince Edward County, and so on. Blend a high energy day time corporate outdoor team building adventure on Toronto’s waterfront with an exclusive private club dinner venue. Immerse your team in the“doing” together of both an eco and culinary challenge at an intimate Algonquin Log Cabin venue.

Tagged in: Corporate Team Building -Toronto , Corporate Team Building Adventures , Corporate Olympics - Winter & Summer