As you enjoy the 2016 Olympic games, you cannot overlook the characteristic of ‘uniqueness’ being visible every single day.

Uniqueness in individual and team celebrations – appearances – actions – superstitions – pre-event preparation. Everyone and every team has a certain degree of uniqueness about them and we embrace and enjoy it.

Uniqueness in how athletes compete.

As an example, Adrian Carambula, an Italian beach volleyball player has a unique serve. It’s known as the ‘sky ball.’ It’s unique in that he turns around and bashes an underhand serve over his head with some spin, seemingly into space. Many have tried to duplicate with no success.

In business we call our uniqueness ‘differentiation.’ We strive to be different than our competitors, Different in products and or services, we want to set ourselves apart.

However, many leaders have a low tolerance for differentiation when it comes to people. Many leaders don’t warm up to diversity. Many leaders don’t like uniqueness when it comes to people in business, but they do when it comes to the Olympic games. Very strange.

2016 Olympic Games Leadership Lesson #7: Embrace uniqueness. Embrace diversity. It will help your business achieve greatness, not hinder it.