Mick Fanning. Photo: WSL / Kelly Cestari
Mick Fanning doesn’t need an introduction. While three world championships is certainly enough to thrust this elite athlete into the spotlight, anyone with a TV or internet access has been exposed to the stratospheric year that Mick Fanning had in 2015.
But in case you were off the grid last year; here is a quick summary:
While competing in the final of the J-Bay Open in South Africa (Event #6 on the WSL Samsung Galaxy World Championship Tour) last year, Mick had an encounter of the Great White kind. An encounter that played out live on the Internet in front of millions of viewers. And was subsequently replayed on every major television network in the world. Mick survived the encounter and the world warmed even more to the already likable Australian icon.
After Jeffreys Bay, he dried himself off in true Mick fashion and got into a position to contend for another world title heading into the Billabong Pipeline Masters in Hawaii, the final stop on the world tour. During the early rounds of the event, Mick got the news that his eldest brother had passed away, a devastating blow at the worst possible time. He stayed on and fought hard for the title, just falling short. In the months after this event Mick also split from his wife and has taken some well-deserved time off in 2016. Oh, and he started a craft brewery with some of his mates somewhere in-between.
Now you’re up to speed. Mick Fanning is a champion of a human and a champion sportsman. He embodies the characteristics of the human spirit that so many are inspired by.
So what can your business learn from this elite athlete?
1. Preparation
Mick was the first professional surfer to really embrace cross training as a way to improve his performance. After a serious injury in 2004 Fanning spent months in rehab, building up his core strength, balance and endurance. He arrived at events as the most prepared athlete; physically and mentally, and in many ways sparked a revolutionary approach for professional surfers. Three World titles later and he is one of the most feared and respected competitors on the world tour.
We can never underestimate the power of preparation in business. The old adage of “measure twice, cut once” rings very true. Good preparation eliminates surprises and will put your business in the best position to succeed.
There will always be curve balls in business, as there are in sports, but the best prepared are more often the ones who navigate these the best, and have the edge over the competition.
2. Turn Adversity Into Motivation
Mick is the perfect case study for using adversity as motivation. With every blow he has taken, he has had the ability to channel his emotions and situation to take his performance to another level. This doesn’t mean Mick is a cold, calculated machine, it just means he has the unique ability to reconcile all he is feeling and use it as a motivator rather than letting it bring him down.
In many markets the economic climate is challenging and businesses are faced with adversity daily. The key is to focus on the things you can change in your own business, and not spend too much time thinking about the external factors you have no control of. See adversity as opportunities to motivate your staff to rise above the immediate situation and go back to what you know you do well. Gather your thoughts, review your strategies, take a deep breath and jump back in.
Challenges are inevitable in business; its how you approach them that will set you apart from your competitors.
3. Resilience
When I think of Mick, I think of those weighted blow up boxing dolls. The ones you punch and kick as hard as you can, and no matter how many times you do this it keeps bouncing back at you.
Resilience is something you build up. It reveals the scars of experience and thickens your skin in the process. And if you are a quick learner it will become a huge asset to you and your business. But in order to get resilience to work for you, you need to know exactly who you are, what you stand for as a business and where you are going. That way no matter how many times you get knocked down, every time you get back up you’ll be facing the right direction again.
Know your strategy, be confident in it and don’t let adversity take you off your path.
4. Steely Focus
If you’ve ever seen Mick Fanning go through his pre-heat ritual, you’ll know that you don’t want to be looking him in the eye… for fear of him staring right through you with a focused intensity that might turn you to stone.
Mick is intense leading up to his heats. It’s what works for him. It’s his game plan. Music is key for him – giant cans surround his ears and I often wonder (hope) he is listening to ‘The eye of the Tiger’, it would just add so much more to the theatre. The point is, Mick has a routine that allows him to zero in on the job at hand. A process that mentally prepares him so he can perform at his best.
In business there are many distractions, on a micro level (e-mails, phone calls, meetings, checking your social media feeds, etc.), and then on a macro level; things like the economy, competitor activity, political environment and the various industry ebbs & flows your business will face.
I’m not saying you need to pipe the soundtrack to Rocky through the office building, although some days that might just be the “pattern interrupt” your business needs – but eliminating (or minimizing) distractions and focusing on the tangibles is the key to performing well.
Have clear outcomes and a clear vision for you business, and keep your focus on these.
5. Learn How To Deal With Pressure
Athletes who perform at an elite level know how to not only absorb pressure, but they learn how to use it to enhance their performance. Mick is a prime example of someone who has learned to do this year after year. There are too many examples to recount over his career here, but perhaps the best example happened in 2013 in Hawaii during one of Mick’s world title campaigns.
In a pivotal Round 5 heat, Mick had to win against CJ Hobgood at Pipeline, renowned as one of the worlds best tube riders. Mick was against the ropes with his title looking all but lost. With only seconds remaining Fanning needed a big score to advance and keep his title hopes alive. Under extreme pressure with the clock winding down he rolled into one of the waves of the day, held his composure and produced the score he needed to advance. He repeated the feat in the quarterfinals against compatriot Yaden Nicol, this time needing a near perfect score to in the dying moments to not only advance but to secure the world title. And secure it he did, with a near perfect 9.70 (out of 10) right on the buzzer. Mick said after the heat: “I knew what I needed to do and if the opportunity came, I knew I could do it.”
Confidence in your own ability (and business) is vital when it comes to dealing with pressure.
The stress can either drive you, or drown you. And oftentimes we don’t know how we will react until it happens. Will you stay and fight, or turn on your heels and take flight? Champion businesses and brands are those who absorb the pressure longer, but don’t let it weigh them down.
They keep their eye on the podium, trust their instincts, hold their course and most importantly learn from their mistakes.
6. Improvisation
Not every heat, event or world title campaign goes smoothly, even for Mick Fanning. On many occasions throughout his career Mick found himself needing a score late in the heat, fighting it out in elimination rounds or sitting in an uncomfortable position on the ratings.
Often in sport and business events transpire that you don’t foresee happening. This can throw a campaign, strategy or business plan out the window before you even begin.
Elite athletes and successful brands both have the ability to improvise on the run. There will be times when you need to reset the plan and start again, and that’s ok.
Be flexible and adaptable in your thought processes. The ability to make change on the run will keep you within striking distance.
7. Generosity and Humility
Maybe a lesser-known fact about the 3x world champion is that he’s extremely generous. And without blowing the cover off Mick’s philanthropic side (Yes, he is very humble too) he has supported many individuals, charities and groups that are close to his heart, both with his time and money.
While not every business has to have a philanthropic arm, there is something to the idea of giving back or supporting something that dovetails well with the values of your business.
My father always taught me to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. And I think the same is true in business. Throw in a little generosity and you’ll definitely sleep well at night.
Thanks for the inspiration Mick and enjoy your year off. You deserve it.
