From the Editors: How Underdogs Triumph Over Adversity

What do Kobe Bryant, Ben Hogan and the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team have in common? They were all underdogs who used their unique approaches to stay focused on their processes—to unbelievable results. In this episode of From the Editors, vice president of content Bryce Evans and editorial director Anna Zeck dive deeper into three unique stories of triumphing over adversity, and how this month’s feature on the Best Workplaces ties into that concept (2:00). On the 40th anniversary of their historic win against the Soviet Union, we take a look at Herb Brooks’ unique strategy for coaching the U.S. Olympic Hockey team (4:50). Next, we discuss one of Bryce’s favorite golfers, Ben Hogan, who dominated the scene in the late 1940s and early 1950s, despite numerous injuries and disadvantages. Finally, Kobe Bryant’s untimely death resurfaced a powerful speech from his jersey retirement (14:50). 

All three of those iconic underdogs took their (real or perceived) disadvantages starting out and turned them into benefits (16:43). They were able to focus on the journey and their processes, instead of the results, which ultimately guided their careers. As leaders, it’s important not to get caught up in the goals and the results, and instead focus on how you can get there (16:43). That’s exactly what the receivers of Ratchet+Wrench’s first-ever Best Workplaces did, to great effect.  

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