Chris and Nik Nikic On How To Be 1% Better
This episode features an extraordinary father-son duo, Chris and Nik Nikic. On November 7th, 2019, Chris captured the hearts of the triathlon community—and eventually the world—by becoming the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman Triathlon.
During the grueling marathon segment, Chris, who had already swam 2.4 miles and biked 112 miles, found his reserves fading. It was then that his father, coach and inspiration offered one question: “I simply hugged Chris and asked him who was going to win: Him or his pain? He chose to win.”
Chris’s achievement etched his name in the Guinness Book of World Records and earned him a trip to the 2021 ESPYS, where Tim Tebow presented him with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. “I love to compete,” Chris shared, “I just don’t let the other person beat me. It’s perseverance to be better every day.” The process that got Chris over the finish line was a self-improvement model they developed called 1% Better. Today, they share this model with organizations teaching that while you may never be “the best,” you can be 1% better when you stop imposing self-limitations and begin the journey to reach your goals.
“The influence of Chris is starting to change events where the organizers are creating an intellectual disability (ID) category to include more of Chris’s Special Olympics friends,” said Nik. For example, on April 18, Chris will become the first to compete in the Boston Marathon in the ID category. He’ll be wearing #321 on his bib. “The idea is for Boston to influence other marathons around the world to do the same,” Nik added. One event that has already created its own intellectual disabilities category is Ironman. In October, Chris will compete in the ID category at the 2022 Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.
I encourage you to learn firsthand how they accomplished so much in so little time—and had a blast doing it.
YOU WILL LEARN:
4:30 The difference between a goal and a dream—and how you can achieve both.
12:00 How to avoid burnout through goal boards.
15:00 How to learn from your mistakes.
21:00 How to overcome setbacks.
25:00 How to make self-improvement a celebration of life rather than a grind.
Check out the full Corporate Competitor Podcast interview archive and subscribe to new episodes.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
0
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
