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Don’t pity the underdog. Or underestimate the long shot’s ability to shock and surprise to the upside. Instead, learn from what makes the underdog rise up — and prove people wrong.
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It might seem counterintuitive, but you can often learn more about success from underdogs than you can from the so-called favorites.
And that’s true whether you’re talking about Lucky Strike, the horse that won this year’s Kentucky Derby despite 80-to-1 odds, or the outgunned Ukrainian military going toe-to-toe in its war with superpower Russia. Or tiny, 15th-seeded Saint Peter upsetting No. 2 seed and basketball blue blood University of Kentucky during 2022’s March Madness and eventually falling in the Elite Eight to North Carolina, winner of six NCAA titles.
“I think there is more to learn from underdogs,” said Scott Monty, a leadership and communications advisor at Chameleon Collective, a consulting and marketing firm that helps build and grow great companies.
“Favorites, they do what everyone expects them to do; they use the formula that got them there. The underdog, you don’t know what they are capable of. They are in the come-from-behind position. Tactically or strategically, whether on the battlefield or in business, you just don’t know what to expect,” he said.
Underdogs, of course, are competitors that nobody thinks have any chance of winning, whether it’s a big game, a war or a coveted new client. Rooting for the underdog is easy to do. And why not? It gives people hope that they too can achieve things that nobody thought possible.
So, what’s the X-factor that makes the underdog a winner in sports, business, and life? Here are five things you can learn from a dark horse:
1. Can-Do Spirit Can Take You Far
By definition, an underdog is expected to fail. But underdogs have a much different, more optimistic attitude. They believe in themselves.
And they use all those doubters as motivation to perform at a higher level, exceed expectations and get the win despite impossible odds.
“They have a can-do attitude,” Monty said. “They see possibility where other people don’t.”
2. Patience Makes The Impossible Possible
Success doesn’t come overnight. Everyone knows that. Underdogs understand the power of patience. Being patient gives underdogs the time to practice, hone their strategy and make adjustments so they’re ready to seize their moment when they get the chance.
In explaining his shocking Derby win aboard Lucky Strike, for example, jockey Sonny Leon said he waited patiently with his horse near the back of the field early in the race. His strategy was to let the speedy lead horses tire themselves out early, so he could make a late move with his horse to win the race. His patience paid off.
Similarly, says Monty, Ukraine’s army got off to a slow start in the war with Russia. But as the war has grinded on, the Ukrainian army has gone on the counteroffensive to turn the tide of the fighting.
“Underdogs know success takes a while, especially if you are coming from behind,” Monty said. “Take Ukraine. They knew it would not be an overnight victory, and a win still is not assured.”
Still, political and military leaders in scrappy Ukraine have helped the country’s people understand where they are on the journey, Monty adds. And that is key. “Underdogs need to visualize where they need to be and where they are and be patient along the way.”
3. Courage And Risk-Taking Are Your Allies
It’s easy to play it safe and not go for it. Or buy in to the narrative that winning isn’t possible.
But going for it when everything is on the line is what can turn an underdog into a champion.
“(Underdogs are) not afraid to take risks,” Monty said. “They’re willing to stick their neck out. They are not risk-averse, but rather risk-tolerant. And that makes underdogs more likely to be successful.”
4. Constant Learning Gives You An Edge
The best leaders are always looking to learn from and adapt to new challenges. And that added knowledge eventually pays off. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is a good example of an underdog who gains an edge from constant learning about his adversaries as well as his own fighters.
“Underdogs and the best leaders are open to new information, and processing the information helps them make informed decisions going forward,” Monty said.
5. Tenacity Is Contagious
A no-quit mindset goes a long way when trying to defeat what on paper is a superior opponent. Digging deeper and moving forward against adversity with whatever gas is left in the tank are what define the underdog.
“Overcoming challenges is in their blood,” Monty said. “They’re relentlessly tenacious.”
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Image and article originally from www.investors.com. Read the original article here.