A Life Lesson From The High Jump: Fosbury Flop

Mastering the Art of Continuous Improvement in Work and Life

Ben Mumme

Oct 16, 2023

Wisdom

One piece of wisdom that motivates, encourages and empowers you to grow.

"Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought." -Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi

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Insight

One insight that helps you deeply understand a situation, idea, or concept.

What is The Fosbury Flop?

The Fosbury Flop is a unique and effective technique for jumping over a high bar. An athlete named Dick Fosbury came up with this innovative way of jumping, and it completely revolutionized how the high jump was performed.

It's a great example of always trying to improve things, whether in work or life. The idea is to challenge the status quo and find better ways of doing things.

Have you ever questioned why things are done a certain way, only to be met with the response, "That's just how we've always done it"?

Dick Fosbury changed high jump by introducing a new way of jumping. Before, athletes always faced the bar, but he proved that a different approach could bring great success.

The Origin of The Fosbuy Flop

In the beginning, Dick wasn’t a successful athlete.

But he was thinking: Why is everybody jumping with that style? What if there is a better way to jump higher? Could there be a better way to jump higher?

Then, a great idea struck him one day. Instead of jumping forward, he chose to jump backward, lowering his body's center of mass and achieving a much higher jump.

After perfecting this technique, he got the chance to represent the United States in the Olympics.

During the 1968 Olympics, he amazed everyone with his new jumping style and won the gold medal, setting an Olympic record.

Athletes quickly adopted the fosbury flop, and it remains the standard style for high jumping today.

Dick Fosbury succeeded by changing the usual methods, revolutionizing his sport. This idea of challenging norms and seeking better ways applies to life too.

Think of innovation as your personal “Fosbury flop”. Steve Jobs transformed smartphones with the iPhone, and Elon Musk changed space travel with SpaceX.

What could be your unique and game-changing approach to something you love?

Living Legend

One inspiring story of a famous person still living for doing something exceptionally well.

Tim Cook

The current CEO of Apple Inc., Tim Cook embodies the principle of continual improvement known as the Fosbury Flop mentality in both his personal and professional life. Following the influential leadership of Steve Jobs, Cook assumed a distinct approach characterized by patience, practicality, and a steadfast commitment to the company's values.

Cook's leadership style is different from Jobs'. Cook is more of a Stabilizer (SC), valuing careful thought, detailed analysis, and teamwork, aiming for stability and an organized setting. On the other hand, Jobs had an Initiator (DI) personality, known for being assertive, taking risks, and striving for innovation by challenging norms. Jobs led with charisma and assertiveness, while Cook prioritizes listening, asking questions, and thorough information analysis before making choices.

Under Cook's guidance, Apple has maintained a focus on innovation, expanding into new markets while placing a strong emphasis on sustainability. During his tenure, the company's stock price witnessed a remarkable surge, establishing Apple as the first trillion-dollar company globally. Cook's dedication to inclusivity, sustainability, and user privacy, along with his meticulous decision-making process and reliance on organizational expertise, has led Apple towards a more comprehensive and socially responsible future.

Rather than constantly pursuing groundbreaking inventions, Cook strategically focuses on enhancing and investing in existing products. This deliberate and knowledge-driven approach has played a significant role in Apple's exceptional growth and global reach. Cook's patience and unwavering dedication to improvement have solidified Apple's reputation for reliability and stability, highlighting the lasting influence of embracing the Fosbury Flop mentality in the corporate world.

Final Thoughts

Questions for you to ponder and think carefully about.

What strategies can I employ to maintain motivation and momentum in my pursuit of continuous improvement over the long term?
How can I identify areas for improvement in my daily work routine or personal habits?
Are there innovative approaches that I should explore to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in my work or daily life routines?
How can I celebrate progress and acknowledge achievements as I strive for continuous improvement?

Cheers,