WINTER OLYMPICS LEADERSHIP SERIES 2026 - Featuring Ian Golding

With the eyes of the world on Italy for the 25th edition of the Winter Olympics, which events are you looking forward to? In the spirit of previous leadership series here on my blog, I've asked a dozen leadership and marketing experts to respond to five questions with the hope that both the questions and answers lead you to think about leadership, personal branding, and the Olympics in new and interesting ways.

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Ian Golding, based in Chester, England. Ian is a renowned Global Customer Experience Specialist. Having spent 18 years working in the corporate world, over the last 13 years, Ian has helped organizations in 60 countries understand how to operationalize the science of customer experience. He is also the first person authorized to teach the Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) accreditation. Ian's many articles and book "Customer What?" have been read by thousands of professionals around the world.

SHARE THIS: The Olympic Games have the power to unite us because we can all find something inspirational or something we can relate to in each athlete’s story, whether it’s a story of success or of disappointment. –Tatjana Schoenmaker (South Africa’s most decorated Olympian) #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: What is your favorite WINTER Olympics sport, and why?

IAN GOLDING: I am torn between the Bobsleigh and the skeleton – Bobsleigh because I am a huge fan of the movie "Cool Runnings!" Skeleton because I am in complete awe and admiration for the courage it takes to go headfirst on your stomach down an icy slope on something that resembles a tea tray!

QUESTION: What WINTER Olympics sport most “visually” demonstrates teamwork, and why?

IAN GOLDING: I might be unusual in saying pairs figure skating for this one. Two people working in complete harmony, having to put 100 percent trust in each other to create something that is remarkably athletic and artistic is quite remarkable.

QUESTION: According to Suzanne Robb, COO of Alloy, “Define what victory means to you, and keep that vision in mind. You’re the one who gets to determine when you’re making progress, what success means, and what your focus should be. When you get a win, take time to celebrate. In business as if life, you’ve got to run your own race.” With this quote in mind, which Winter Olympics event or result stands out in your memory, and why?

IAN GOLDING: As a Brit, I am always reminded of the determination shown by Eddie ‘the eagle’ Edwards who competed in ski jumping at the 1988 Winter Olympics. The first person to ever do so from Great Britain – with no support and no funding, whilst he came last (by some way), the courage and determination he showed to achieve his dream is the perfect demonstration to me of what victory is all about.

QUESTION: During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, entertainer and businessman Snoop Dogg used the hashtag #FollowTheDogg and shared his Olympic experiences on social media. My favorite story and related photos were when he and friend Martha Stewart dressed in equestrian clothing and attended the dressage competition. According to reports, Snoop’s involvement was intended to attract a new audience to the Olympics. If you were in charge of the Winter Olympics, who would you invite to attract a new audience, and why?

IAN GOLDING: Hmmmm – an interesting question. I am tempted to say Olaf – the snowman from the Movie "Frozen" – to attract a new audience. I think it is important to inspire potential athletes as early as possible, and I think Olaf would be the perfect character to do so with children all around the world.

QUESTION: The 2026 Winter Olympics will be the first Olympic Games under the leadership of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry. She is a former Zimbabwean politician, sports administrator, and former Olympic swimmer and world record holder. She is also the first woman, first Zimbabwean, and the first African to serve as IOC President. According to Reuters, “Kirsty Coventry smashed through the IOC’s glass ceiling in March 2025 to become the organization’s first female President in its 130-year history.” What are your thoughts about this development for the world’s biggest multi-sport organization – and its future?

IAN GOLDING: To me, leadership has nothing to do with gender or race. Leadership is demonstrated through the ability of a person to inspire others to follow. At its core, leadership is the ability to inspire, influence, and guide others toward a shared vision, goal, or purpose. It isn’t just about authority or position - it’s about creating conditions where people can succeed and feel motivated to contribute their best.

SHARE THIS: At its core, leadership is the ability to inspire, influence, and guide others toward a shared vision, goal, or purpose. ~Ian Golding #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

A final reminder, as you watch the competitions, make a note on your calendar to swing by #DebbieLaskeysBlog each day through February 22nd for leadership and marketing inspiration. A small interruption to the series will take place on February 20th to celebrate "National Leadership Day," then  the Olympics series returns on February 21st. A series recap will be featured on February 22nd. Enjoy the Olympics!

Image Credit: Olympics.

Read Ian's previous appearance here on my blog:

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/08/olympics-leadership-series-featuring_0391609636.html

Meet Ian at this link:

https://ijgolding.com/about-ian-golding/