'Feedback is the breakfast of champions,' brothers say
At a charity conference organised by the Young Professionals Committee of the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce last week, famous Muay Thai champions the Pinto brothers and renowned executive coach Jean-Francois Cousin exchanged their experiences about the
“A ‘champion at work’ is someone who excels in some areas, works well with others and makes a positive difference around him or her,” debate moderator Thomas Sanchez said.
Speakers discussed the importance of knowing and accepting oneself, rebounding from “KOs” (knock-outs) and building resilience, managing one’s image, playing well with others and sharing honours.
Born in France, Antoine and Leo Pinto, of Siangboxing gym, are two of the world’s best-known Muay Thai fighters. The brothers had their first fights at the age of 11 and were the youngest foreigners to have fought at the legendary Lumpini and Rajdamnoen stadiums.
With more than 179 victories in 237 fights, the brothers have together established themselves within Thailand and fight all around the world.
Jean-Francois Cousin, a former senior executive in Thailand and Europe and an executive coach, is supporting senior leaders across Asia and the Middle East, helping them unleash more of their greatness.
The Pinto brothers shared how critical it is to be fully aware of your strengths and weaknesses as a fighter, and how being a champion is not about being perfect, but about constantly striving for self-improvement.
They mentioned that their coaches were never totally satisfied about even their victories, and immediately analysed what could have been done better.
Cousin reminded the audience of businesspeople that “feedback is the breakfast of champions” and it is up to us to ask for it continuously. He concurred that the “quest for perfection is a delusion”, and added that the only healthy foundation for a leader’s growth is self-awareness and then self-acceptance. That will enable the leader to build genuine self-confidence and more authenticity, necessary to gain trust from “followers”.
Videos of Antoine and Leo Pinto training relentlessly at Siangboxing gym for 20 days before each fight conveyed the importance of discipline to the audience. Cousin shared how crucial it is for senior leaders to adopt such discipline in taking care of their health, in all of its dimensions, so they are at their best physically, mentally and emotionally and to enhance their mindfulness.
The Pinto brothers elaborated on this, explaining that boxing was “not at all about hitting someone out of anger”, rather it was first about “protecting yourself at all times, and then hitting without being reached and winning the ‘mind-game of domination’ against your opponent”. Physical fitness without mental sharpness and mindfulness would never make a champion.
All speakers agreed on the importance of seeing growth opportunities in challenges. Cousin emphasised that the best learning often stems from failure.
The Pinto brothers – who often appear on TV in Europe and Asia to millions of viewers – said “image management” was not a second job, but an integral part of the job. “Offering a good image to the fans, the trainers, the partners and the sponsors is essential” in the making of champions.
Being signed by “Thai Fight” was an acknowledgement of both their previous victories and their image.
Cousin reminded the audience that others decide who is a champion and who isn’t. He shared a few tips about “personal branding” for leaders, and particularly insisted on the necessity of consistently demonstrating one’s “value proposition” to the organisation, building credibility and showing character when the going gets rough.
Antoine and Leo Pinto shared how their success is a team success first and foremost: “Being an athlete, a boxer goes for an individual fight; but success only comes from teamwork. Every member of our large team is important.”
That is in striking unison with what leadership guru Peter Drucker said: “There is no team leader; in a team, task is the master, and every member serves the others.”
A video of the Wai Khru ritual at the start of fights illustrated how boxers show respect for their team and share honours.
Cousin elaborated on how “champions at work” demonstrate awareness of and openness to others, and thus play well with others. And he reminded the audience that the most successful leaders had shifted from “being the smartest guy in the room” towards “helping others contribute at their best”.
