The rise of the underdogs
Big teams with
illustrious names were unable to leave their mark at the World Cup. Here’s why
you should never underestimate the dark horses
If the World Cup has taught us anything, it’s to
never think less of the underdog. The teams that didn’t seem to have a lot
going for them were also the teams that turned David to their opponent’s
Goliath. And this misjudging applies in the workplace and business too — never
write off someone or a company you think are the little guys because they could
end up surprising you. Here are some reasons why the underdogs often come up
top dog thanks to their winning attitudes:
Not opposed to risk
People underestimating you can actually be a good
thing. When you have no expectations, you have nothing to lose by giving it
your all. The fear of not living up to the demands placed by others is limited
and you’re not averse to taking a calculated risk. At the end of the day if it
doesn’t work out, it’s not going to have too many repercussions on your
reputation. However, your ego may take a hit, but remember it’s this
determination, resilience and perseverance that eventually leads the underdog
to success.
Appreciate the little things
For the underdog, things often go wrong. But once you’ve
felt real struggle and know the pain it brings, it’s not easy to brush it off.
And that’s why when things go right, the underdog notices, appreciates the hard
work and people involved and knows how to use this good fortune to their
advantage. You learn to enjoy the positives in work, instead of just jumping to
the next big thing and this optimism and celebration is what makes underdogs
great team players.
Improv club
Underdogs usually have to deal with doing a lot with
fewer resources than their more celebrated counterparts. But with this
deprivation, comes improvisation. They are used to not having what they want or
need and hence they have great skill of learning to make do with what is
available to them. This enables them to be creative thinkers, fast workers and
they are more likely to get the job done, regardless of the circumstances.
Bigger connections
If you’re born with a silver spoon, you sometimes
lose your connections to the real world. That’s why an underdog brings a unique
perspective to the workplace. They have come up the hard way and there is a
certain sense of reality that they still hold on to.
An underdog will be able to see the issues others may
not be able to see, have a sharp focus and most importantly, have a can-do
attitude — the number one trait that helps the underdog rise to the top.
glynda.alves@timesgroup.com
ET 13JUL18
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