Only the best athletes become Olympians, and their journey to the top offers great insight for business. Here are some qualities public relations professionals can learn from these competitors to attain success.

1 - Dedication to a craft, whether it’s a sport or business, requires 100-percent commitment to victory. Olympians only compete on this global stage once every four years. Spectators often overlook how much dedication and hard work it takes in between to win the smaller battles that lead to potential gold. In business as in sports, maintaining motivation and drive is crucial to success, regardless of ups and downs. Communicators must remain dedicated to winning.

2 - Consistency builds identity and provides stability. For athletes, routine builds a strong rhythm, allowing them to measure success with incremental improvements. If they followed a different plan every week, they’d never reach their goals or gain recognition for outstanding achievements. In public relations, consistency builds strong brands for clients and catapults them beyond their rivals.

3 - Excellence – Olympians aspire to perfection, but that’s not always realistic. What they do obtain is excellence far beyond other athletes. PR can position clients for greatness by identifying the essential components that make a business shine.

4 - Aim higher – Athletes are competitive by nature, giving 110 percent to beat a personal record or a tough opponent. A successful PR program is not the end of the race. There’s always another milestone or goal to achieve, so no resting on your laurels!

5 - Confidence – Each competition provides an opportunity to win. A positive attitude generates the inspiration and belief needed to secure the next medal. As communications pros, we are hired when we instill confidence about our ability to make a difference in a client’s business.