Lessons from Andy Murray on how to become #1
By Luke Sklar and Amber Hudson
We all love the new shining star, that kid that explodes out of nowhere; we can’t keep our eyes off the hare that takes the world by storm. But what about the lonely soldier, the tortoise who suffers through the daily grind and finally tastes success? Yawn…
Until now.
On Sunday afternoon the world was surprised (come on, we love our Commonwealth siblings, but the Brits aren’t exactly hot on the sports scene) when Andy Murray made history by becoming the first British man to win the Wimbledon title in 77 years, and the first from Scotland since 1896. Andy is a prime example of slow and steady: he’s 26 (middle age in tennis years); he’s been at this a while, winning his share of tournaments; but the coveted Wimbledon title has always eluded him. It wasn’t until he realized something had to give that he truly had the hare in his sights. His weapon of choice? Tennis legend Ivan Lendl. Lendl lacks any semblance of charisma, charm and warmth, but he held up the mirror and told Andy he wasn’t good enough. Yet. He applied the pressure, the skill, the desire to succeed, and it worked.
The marketing lesson in all this is brands need to hold up the mirror and face the harsh facts. You can’t keep doing what you’re doing and expect your brand to become #1. Confront the negative influences, change your bad habits and find the grit, the energy, the resolve to truly change your brand’s performance. Come to think of it, is any great brand really an overnight success? The great ones stand the test of time by outthinking and out working every competitor. It’s not about speed, flash and physical prowess. You must find the tortoise’s mental strength to succeed.