PJ Bain is Managing Director of PrimaryA world leader in financial technology solutions of the working capital.
In January, my company, Primereveave, met in our city of Atlanta for our kick -off in 2025, where all the activities were centered on a key theme: “Be courageous, be daring”. I must say that the more I thought about all the shared stories, the ideas that were ignited and the reinforced links, the more I appreciate to what extent the activities and the lessons had a deep effect on our team.
And what I have also learned: the lessons we have covered do not really apply to us but can be applied almost any business, anyone and any industry.
Many shared stories focused on athletes and sports. As a fan of still rabid sports (and not to mention the amateur athlete), there are a handful of sporting personalities to whom I owe gratitude debt for having served as models of excellence, leadership and teamwork.
Here are some of these athletes that I deeply admire – and whose stories were among the most moving to kick -off.
Ken Griffey Jr.: Overcome the reverse
In baseball and business, success is based on resilience, adaptability and collaboration. The story of the legend of the MLB, Ken Griffey Jr. – One of the greatest baseball players of all time – realizes that the reverse is part of the trip.
Wounds and doubts have not defined his career; His dedication to overcome them made.
Crucial for how Griffey achieved its greatness: always ready to do Adjustments for the good of the team. Throughout his 22 -year -old career, he acquired the reputation of model teammate And cloakroom. All this explains why, when he was ultimately inducted into the national renowned temple baseball in 2016, it was with a Then record the adjustment vote.
In sports teams and within companies, there are large practitioners – then there are great leaders.
A large practitioner can shine when times and circumstances are stable and predictable; However, in times of disruption and uncertainty, it is the great leaders and their organizations who thrive and succeed through the opposite winds.
Lionel Messi: perseverance, collaboration and shared objective
The journey of Lionel Messi to the glory of the World Cup is a story of patience, persistence and Trust your team. Messi’s career had been filled with triumphs, but an elusive goal – the FIFA World Cup – has remained out of reach for years.
In 2022, at 35, Messi finally realized his dream, leading Argentina to victory. Although Messi’s individual radiance has been essential, His teammates played equally critical roles: Ángel Di María has scored crucial goals, Emiliano Martínez made stops in the game economy, and the whole team joined their captain.
The lesson here is powerful: even the most talented individuals cannot succeed alone. Greatness is a team achievement built on trust, collaboration and shared goal. While Messi’s team has worked together in a transparent way on the world’s largest scene, team members in any organization – whether in sport or business – to achieve their goals.
Invent in the plate
In my company, our mandate for 2025 is clear: to continue to carry out the costs of B2B digital payments and in financing the supply chain – and make it double the growth centered on the customer, by stimulating innovation for resilience and having the results together.
During our company gathering, we had a conversation by the fire with the Grand Andruw Jones of Atlanta Braves. One thing that I removed from this conversation and my knowledge of sport in general is that the greatest players are not only those who have struck the Home Runs – it is those who present themselves every day and do the hard work that leads to these moments.
Within your own business, I encourage you to keep this thought in the foreground – and I always remember that camaraderie is the greatest strength of any business. Just like inside the locker rooms of a sports team, the spirit, confidence and shared unit will define your success. These elements build the basics of a large team, with advantages that consist of each other and are ultimately exponential.
Is your business ready for the coming year?
If you are looking for models that embody these values, let me also suggest one of my favorite teams of all time: the champions of the World Series 1995 Atlanta Braves.
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