'There is no magic to winning gold, it's about getting the basics right, keeping it simple and continually keeping sight of the end goal'

Many parallels can be drawn from elite sport - as a double Olympic gold medalist, Sarah uses her experience on and off the water to deliver a series of inspirational talks based on her team's success.

Be Inspired

Discover your Inner Athlete: The best version you, #Proud

This talk will help individuals and teams better understand themselves, take ownership and be accountable for their progression. 'Discovering your inner athlete' helps you be more solution-focused, goal-driven and motivated to achieve your “Dream Goals".

The importance of vision, values, and ethos.

A clear vision and values is the backbone of any business or Olympic Campaign. Sarah talks about building your own vision of succes and how it's essential to keep this front and centre. There is no magic to winning gold medals it comes back to the basics of building a team with the same vision, value and ethos at it's core.

Build a winning team.

Businesses are about people and collaboration, working towards a common goal. Developing, respecting, and rewarding your team where appropriate strongly influences the path to business success.

Head out the boat - Navigating challenges with courage and clarity.

You can only win races if you get your head out of the boat to see the big picture. Equally, you need to be able to sail/run your business well to allow space and time to focus on the external factors that might impact your success. Thinking through the situation involves correctly using your team's skill set, creating clear roles and responsibilities, and prioritizing what is necessary, which are proven approaches to re - balancing your business. Quickly resetting and moving on using facts and not emotions is critical in running a business.

Fight or flight - Thriving under pressure; strategies for winning in match point situations.

For each race, you have a strategy and some tactics, and you need to react to changing weather, tides and competitors; similarly, in business, a strategy and tactical approaches, including how to deal with competition, are needed. Going into the final race at the games, it was a who beat who situation with the Dutch team to take gold. The conditions were extreme: the pressure was on. We'd prepared for this moment; we knew what to do. It's about getting into character, controlling the controllable and executing the strategy without being distracted as you approach the end goal.

Fit for gold - Achieving consistent performance through meticulous attention to detail.

Arriving at the games unbeaten, double World champions and European champions ranked no.1, it was our mission to be the lightest and fittest team. Our mission needed a well-planned, focused and structured approach. The Olympics is a long event, so you must be alert; likewise, if you're not fit for business, you will be slow to react to opportunities. The key learning here is to think about the "what ifs" and then practise your plan Bs to respond quickly and, indeed, Regatta fit when the unthinkable happens.

"I would highly recommend her to anyone – you will all come away motivated and excited about what can be achieved with clear goals, focus and determination!”

Tim Hancock
O&G Group | Chief Executive

"Succeeding in a man’s world: female Thames Valley CEOs take inspiration from Olympian Sarah Ayton

Fourteen female CEOs from the Thames Valley heard Sarah’s view on succeeding in a man’s world at a KPMG-hosted event this week.

The event was one of a series organised by KPMG’s only female chair, Karen Witton. Karen, regional chair for KPMG in the South, said: “Sarah is a real inspiration, and it was a huge privilege to hear her experiences of getting to the top in a male dominated sport. It was surprising to hear that there are many common themes on achieving success in both sport and business."

Karen Witton
KPMG

"Sarah's speech and presence was a great addition to our event. Her tales of experience and success mixed with her humour was entertaining and motivating to us all!"

PetLabCo.

CONTACT SARAH

Phone: 07730 284342
Email: sarah@sarahaytonobe.com