From Intern to Chairman – Learning from Michel Masquelier!

There is no doubt that @Michel Masquelier has been one of the most charismatic, influential and respected figures of the sports media industry during the last 30 years. His career from intern to chairman of IMG Media, the media arm of the world’s largest sports management agency, is impressive. His passion for people even more so! Learning from Michel is learning from a compulsive networker and innovator, but also from a person that cares for future generations. Here are four key learnings from the Mission Team podcast I was able to do with him.

Be yourself to be unique
There are a lot of things that go into being successful. Some people are born with a natural talent or ability that sets them apart from the rest. Others have to work hard to develop their skills and stand out from the crowd. But one thing is for sure: if you're going to be successful, it's not because you're standard, it's because you are exceptional. Success comes from doing things differently, from thinking outside the box, and from taking risks. It comes from being brave enough to be yourself and to stand out from the rest. So, if you want to be successful, don't try to be like everyone else. Be yourself, be unique, and be exceptional.

The extra mile
We often hear that we need to have passion to be successful. And while that is true, passion alone won’t take you the extra mile. Going the extra mile means going above and beyond what is expected of you, having grit and tenacity. It means putting in the extra effort even when you don’t feel like it. It means pushing yourself to do better, even when you’re already doing well. Going the extra mile, separates the average from the exceptional. It’s what takes you from good to great, and it’s what will ultimately help you achieve your goals.

Failure
If you don't fail, you won't progress. This is because to progress, you need to learn from your mistakes and failures. Don't be afraid to fail because it is through failure that we learn and grow. Failure is part of the equation, it’s a component of your success story.

Thinking outside of the box
In a world that is increasingly becoming more and more competitive, it is more important than ever to be able to think outside of the box. This ability allows people to come up with creative solutions to problems. Be open-minded and try new things. Think flexibly and look at things from different angles and perspectives. Being street smart, showing creativity and innovation will give you a huge advantage in life and pave your way to success much more than any formal education can do.

Michel Masquelier had a brilliant career in the sports media industry. With his passion moving more and more to the education of young executives, he wrote open and honest examples of his triumphs, failures, and everything in between, in his book “This is not a dress rehearsal” (in French: Itinéraire d’un possibiliste). A Must-Read-Book for anybody interested in sports, education and how to reach profound personal contentment

Patrick K. Magyar has his roots in sports and events. His passion for people and teams drew him more and more into the world of education, team building and team performance. As the creator of Mission Team Digital Teambuilding he shares his passion alongside different experts and thought leaders in the Mission Team podcast.