Michelle Gibson-Morgan. Lead. Learn. Change. Thrive.

Use Mondo’s Approach and Small Wins to Reach Higher

What if world records, career advancement, and business growth are not about making a giant leap, but about consistently raising the bar, just a little at a time?

In today’s fast-moving world, we are often sold the idea of a quantum leap into overnight success, meaning success is all about big moves, viral moments, or game-changing ideas. However, in the athletics world, pole vaulter Armand “Mondo” Duplantis is quietly teaching us something different: sustainable success is about consistent, incremental excellence. The reigning world record holder in pole vaulting, Duplantis has not broken the record just once. He has broken it 15 times and in most cases, by just 1 centimeter. That’s right…One centimeter!
Each time, it counts as a new world record with all the accolades, medals and financial rewards of breaking records. I have been reflecting on it over a year now and it still amazes me.

Since 2020, Duplantis has redefined what’s possible in pole vaulting not with flashy overhauls, but with small deliberate improvements. This is what high performance looks like when it’s engineered, not just inspired.
As professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs, this mindset offers a powerful lesson: sometimes success is a rhythm, not a revolution.

The Mondo Mindset and The 1-Centimeter Advantage

Mondo’s record-breaking story is both athletic and strategic. Raised in a family of athletes, he benefited from early exposure to coaching, discipline, and a culture of intentional growth. However, what truly sets him apart is not just talent, but his commitment to continuous, incremental improvement. He has been pursuing mastery! That mindset offers a powerful lesson: focus on improving one variable at a time.

In our careers and businesses, we often overvalue big breakthroughs and overlook the power of small, consistent gains. Mondo’s approach reminds us that progress is built incrementally.

1. Career Growth (Progress Over Perfection) : Rather than waiting for the perfect moment, focus on steady advancement. Identify your next “1 cm”—whether it’s developing a new skill, increasing your visibility, or stepping into a small but meaningful leadership opportunity.

2. Entrepreneurship (Build, Refine, Repeat): Sustainable success is rarely built in a single leap. Like Mondo, entrepreneurs win through iteration—testing ideas, refining offers, and learning from real feedback instead of assumptions.

3. Leadership (Raise the Standard Consistently): Great leadership isn’t about drastic change overnight, but about steady elevation. Small improvements—clearer processes, more aligned communication, and intentional encouragement—compound over time to build stronger, more resilient teams.

Strategy in Action and The Compound Effect

Duplantis’ approach embodies a strategic truth often overlooked: small gains done consistently outperform short-term bursts of effort. This is known in performance psychology as the Compound Effect—the idea that minor improvements made daily lead to exponential results over time. This works in:

• Brand building: Posting one value-driven insight a week compounds credibility.
• Team development: A 1% improvement in team trust creates compounding impact on morale and productivity.
• Thought leadership: Sharing short-form content regularly can position you as an authority far more effectively than a one-time splash.

In every area of life, 1 cm is still progress. Sometimes, it’s a world record.

A Commitment to Continuous Elevation

In an era that glories speed and disruption, Duplantis reminds us that true mastery is iterative. His methodical climb challenges us to:

• Embrace process over pressure.
• Chase consistency instead of chaos.
• View growth as a craft, not a competition.

Each record he sets doesn’t just top the last; it deepens our respect for the system that made it possible. What if we all approached our work that way?

It’s your turn to raise your own bar! You don’t need a stadium or a vault to start raising your own bar. You just need the mindset. What’s your next 1 cm?
It may be time to

• Pitch a bold idea in your next team meeting.
• Finally launch that website or side project.
• Update your LinkedIn to reflect who you are becoming, not just where you have been.

Whatever it is, take the step. Track it. Celebrate it. Improve it.

One centimeter is still a world record!

Need a resource to help you to soar? Get a copy of THRIVE & ELEVATE: A 90-Day Career Journal for Professionals, Leaders and Entrepreneurs to Grow, Excel, Stand Out and Maximize Opportunities