Debbie Laskey's Blog: OLYMPICS LEADERSHIP SERIES

Sunday, August 11, 2024

OLYMPICS LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Allan Pratt

With the eyes of the world on Paris, France, for the 33rd Olympiad, which events are you looking forward to? Do you know that the surfing competition will take place 9,770 miles away from Paris in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, an island in French Polynesia? In the spirit of previous leadership series here on my blog, I've asked 17 leadership and marketing experts to respond to five questions with the hope that both the questions and answers lead you to think about the Olympics in new and interesting ways.

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Allan Pratt, based in Los Angeles, California. Allan is an infosecurity strategist and represents the intersection of management and technology. With an MBA Degree and six CompTIA certifications in computers, cloud computing, networks, servers, security, and mobility, he translates tech issues into everyday language that is easily understood by all business units. He has been a contributor to several technology blogs and has been quoted in industry publications. Currently, Allan is an assessment writer for an international scholastic publisher; and for the past 12 years, he has taught numerous CompTIA certification courses at Los Angeles City College (online since the covid pandemic began). His most significant accomplishment was the creation of the Cybersecurity Certificate and A.S. program for LACC, the first program of its kind within the entire Los Angeles Community College District.

Allan is also my husband – we met in grad school – and while we both studied marketing, Allan detoured into technology. Since I've surpassed 600 posts on my blog, the time is long overdue for Allan to make an appearance. With his experience as a technology professor, his view of leadership is unique: he is shaping the tech leaders of the future, which is why his insights are especially relevant for this #OlympicsLeadershipSeries.

Before we begin, here are my two favorite quotes about the Olympics:

"In baseball and in business, there are three types of people. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened." ~Tommy Lasorda (Team USA Baseball Manager in 1984 and Olympic gold medalist)

"You have to believe in yourself when no one else does — that makes you a winner right there." ~Venus Williams (Team USA Tennis, 4-time Olympic gold medalist)

QUESTION: What Olympic MOMENT do you most vividly recall, and why?

ALLAN PRATT: At the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics, the opening ceremony flame cauldron was lit by a flaming arrow, shot by Paralympic archer Antonio Rebollo. Like the 65,000 fans in the stands and the many watching on TV, I was in awe as to how precise Rebollo's aim had to be. What a truly Olympic moment!

QUESTION: What Olympic MOMENT OR EVENT stands out due to EITHER a lack of OR evidence of LEADERSHIP?

ALLAN PRATT: Swimmer Michael Phelps has become the face of the Olympics as a result of his being the most decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 28 medals. He also holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals, Olympic gold medals in individual events, and Olympic medals in individual events.

According to Olympics News, "It is a name that resonates around the world, even among people who may not be fans of sport. Michael Phelps, arguably the best swimmer in history, is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time, not just due to his record-breaking feats, but also due to the longevity of his career."

QUESTION: What Olympic SPORT demonstrates effective and/or inspirational leadership?

ALLAN PRATT: To me, the relay race including the passing of the baton demonstrates inspirational leadership. It is the ultimate example of teamwork and coordination. A relay race is an event where a team of four athletes run equal predetermined distances in a sprint race, each passing a rod-like object called a "baton" to the next person to continue the race. A team can be disqualified if any member drops the baton during the handover or if the handover occurs outside the designated area. The 4x100m relay was introduced as a men's only event at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, and the event was first run by women at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics.

QUESTION: What is an important BUSINESS LESSON we can learn from the Olympics?

ALLAN PRATT: The "pass the baton" concept is a useful business lesson because good leaders delegate so that all employees can shine. If leaders don't pass the baton, or delegate, then no one can shine. And, to quote John Quincy Adams, the sixth U.S. President, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you're a leader."

QUESTION: If YOU competed in the Olympics, which sport would you choose, and why?

ALLAN PRATT: Swimming, because I was a swimmer in my youth. I agree with this quote from Olympic athlete Dawn Fraser from Australia, "It's a beautiful thing, diving into the cool crisp water and then just sort of being able to pull your body through the water and the water opening up for you."