Barry Nalebuff, Milton Steinbach Professor of Management
I enjoy watching Olympic table tennis. These are some of the world’s best and least appreciated athletes.
Heidi Brooks, Senior Lecturer in Organizational Behavior
We see the performances and that’s all we are invited to witness, but I am so aware that it’s all about the everyday practices that make for readiness for the big moments. So, while I may watch any given event with fascination (and I am most likely to watch tennis), I am actually most interested in the stories of how people have shaped their lives to be ready for moments that matter. That goes for how I think about leadership too—mostly, it’s all about how we practice day in and day out. You are probably not ready for the big moments if you didn’t practice with integrity in the everyday moments.
I look forward to watching Nadal and Alcaraz as doubles partners.
Tauhid Zaman, Associate Professor of Operations Management
I watch the synchronized swimming events. If you can get a team of people to hold their breath, stay perfectly in sync, and smile through the chaos, you’ve pretty much mastered the art of running a successful business meeting.
My favorite events are the 100 meter and 200 meter dash. I still remember Usain Bolt smoking everyone in Beijing in 2008—one of my all-time favorite Olympic moments.
Ed Kaplan, William N. and Marie A. Beach Professor of Operations Research; Professor of Engineering & Professor of Public Health
Having lived in Connecticut since 1987, I naturally became a huge fan of UConn women’s basketball. Following the successes of these talented women from college to the WNBA has been a joy. This year’s USA Olympic women’s basketball team features three former UConn players—Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi—and I am greatly looking forward to watching them (and their teammates) as they contend for a gold medal! (I’m watching them play Germany in a warmup game as I type!)
Theresa Chahine, Sheila and Ron ’92 B.A. Marcelo Senior Lecturer in Social Entrepreneurship
I honestly don’t watch the Olympics! I might watch the opening ceremony. It always moves me to see people coming together from different parts of the world, bringing their full talents and passions, converging onto a (hopefully) level playing field. I imagine their fear and excitement, picture their families and communities back home watching with pride, and think about all the young people they will uplift and inspire. We need more moments like this, when we come together in vulnerability and shared humanity.
Toby Moskowitz, Dean Takahashi ’80 B.A., ’83 M.P.P.M. Professor of Finance
I don’t really think about leadership and lessons for business when I watch the Olympics. I guess, if anything, I think about the dedication to training and discipline that it takes to get there, which is important for anything you wish to succeed at (including business).
I enjoy watching tennis, track, and basketball.
Paul Bracken, Professor Emeritus of Management
The Olympics are highly beneficial for the world. They’re fun, and they bring people together outside of government confines and conflict. They are an opportunity for athletes, coaches, and staff to meet informally without politics getting in the way. Ordinary people meet as well. I would go further. The Olympics brings businesses together with their customers. The Games deepen a company’s experience on a global stage. This often leads to more business deals, jobs, and growth. What’s not to like?
I will watch the Paris Olympics avidly. Rowing was my sport (I’m from Philadelphia—the rowing capital of the world!). I know some of the coaches and predict the U.S. will win the eights, both for men and women.
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