John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winters Games, was welcomed as an honoured guest speaker to The Richard Ivey School of Business on October 4, 2010. Addressing the MBA class, he shared his personal perspective as a leader responsible for one of the most successful Winter Olympic Games in history. In doing so, Furlong highlighted the attitudes and qualities that have guided him personally throughout his career. It was an unparalleled opportunity for the MBA students, the leaders of tomorrow, to experience his wisdom first-hand.
During his presentation, Furlong wove behind-the-scene examples from the Olympics – including how the idea for the closing ceremonies came about – with his own personal history to illustrate what he described as five guiding principles. Furlong considers leadership as a set of values: maintaining belief and vision; keeping your word; learning to forgive; having the courage to try; and, behaving as if people are watching all the time.
Furlong used his stories to explain these principles which all related back to themes of trust, loyalty and teamwork. He knew at the outset of the Olympics that Canadians would not easily forgive failure, and that he could completely rely on his team of 50,000 volunteers. They were valued for their contributions and were included in aspects of decision-making and execution for the Games. Being able to surround yourself with people with complementary talents is an essential component of leadership.
Delving at times into stories from his childhood in Ireland, Furlong learned much about life and values through his strict upbringing. “My father was a giver of lessons,” he said as he stressed how important it is to express yourself with humility. He indicated that it makes an incredible difference when cooperating with others and helps to set good leaders apart as ‘shining examples’. “Never condescend,” Furlong said, “to someone else’s contributions.”
A story about the importance of keeping your word hit home with Furlong speaking to his admiration for the immense private sponsorship the Games received. Especially during the initial planning stages of the Games, sealing deals with a handshake and remaining loyal to their partners – the strength of General Motors as a major sponsor was cited – helped build a solid foundation of success for the rest of the Games.
When students were welcomed to ask questions, Furlong explained how the Olympics had brought economic benefits and job training to B.C.’s impoverished, how the team of volunteers were responsible for the real success of the Games, and how management of the early crises was affected by public demands for perfection and understanding.
In concluding the class, Furlong proudly explained how he saw the Vancouver Winter Olympics as a valuable and unique part in Canada redefining itself as a country. “All Canadians were participants of these Olympics,” he said. “We started, as one, to understand that we are not living next to a giant anymore. Canada has taken its place on the front stage within the world.”