Ilia Malinin & Alysa Liu: How Lowering Stakes Can Boost Performance

The Counterintuitive Path to Peak Performance: Why Lowering the Stakes Can Lead to Victory

All eyes will be on American figure skater Ilia Malinin at the Figure Skating World Championships 2026 in Prague, as he seeks a gold medal after a disappointing eighth-place finish at the recent Winter Olympics. But a surprising lesson might come from someone who isn’t even competing: Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu. The story of these two athletes offers a compelling insight into the psychology of winning, and a strategy that extends far beyond the ice rink – lowering the stakes.

Malinin entered the Olympic final as the clear favorite, but the immense pressure appeared to overwhelm him, leading to two falls during his performance. Liu, conversely, approached the Games with a different mindset, focusing on enjoying the sport rather than chasing a medal, and ultimately secured gold. Now, she’s opting out of the World Championships, citing a busy schedule and a lack of necessitate to prove anything further. This seemingly paradoxical approach – achieving more by wanting less – highlights a powerful principle in high-performance environments.

Defensive Pessimism, Strategic Optimism, and the ‘Psychological Safe Space’

Psychologists have long studied the impact of expectations on performance. A concept known as “defensive pessimism,” described in research published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, involves deliberately lowering expectations to manage anxiety. This is different from strategic optimism, which focuses on positive thinking and high goals. Lowering the stakes, however, creates what could be described as a “psychological safe space” – a mindset where high goals are maintained, but pressure is managed through a redefined understanding of success.

Liu’s approach allowed her to calibrate her performance with joy and precision, while Malinin’s high-stakes rhetoric and self-imposed pressure seemed to contribute to his struggles. As a leadership coach working with CEOs and other high-level executives, I advise clients that deliberately calibrating internal and external pressures is essential when the stakes are highest.

Beyond Technique: The Mental Game in Figure Skating

At the Olympics, Malinin had already established himself as a technical innovator, pushing the boundaries of the sport with his quadruple axel and a string of international medals. However, he amplified the pressure by publicly proclaiming himself “QuadG0D” and suggesting he had “broken physics.” This self-aggrandizement, while demonstrating confidence, may have inadvertently fueled self-doubt and sleeplessness the night before his performance, ultimately impacting his execution on the ice.

Liu, having already contributed to Team USA’s gold in the team event, approached her individual competition with a different focus. She stated she had no expectations of winning and simply wanted to share her love of the sport, showcase her new routines, and enjoy the experience. This relaxed mindset allowed her to deliver a flawless performance and claim the individual Olympic gold. Malinin himself was seen beaming with pride after her win, seemingly recognizing that Liu had mastered the mental aspect of the competition.

Physical and technical prowess are undoubtedly crucial for success, but self-confidence and the ability to manage psychological pressure are often the deciding factors. This is true not just in athletics, but in any field requiring high performance.

The ‘Redemption Competition’ and the Importance of Perspective

Recent interviews and social media posts suggest that Malinin may not have fully internalized this lesson. He has described the World Championships as a “redemption competition,” and expressed a desire to redefine the sport. While ambition is admirable, framing the event as a chance to “redeem” himself could inadvertently recreate the pressure that hindered him at the Olympics.

In contrast, Liu’s decision to skip the World Championships sends a powerful message of self-assurance. She doesn’t need to prove anything and is comfortable with her accomplishments. This mindset will likely serve her well in future competitions, allowing her to approach them with a similar level of relaxed focus that led to her Olympic success.

What Leaders Can Learn From Elite Athletes

The dynamic between Malinin and Liu offers a valuable lesson for leaders in all fields. It’s not about eliminating ambition or lowering standards, but about recalibrating the internal and external pressures that can stifle performance. Lowering the stakes isn’t about diminishing goals; it’s about shifting the focus from outcome to process, from validation to enjoyment.

The next time you face a high-stakes situation – a crucial presentation, a challenging negotiation, or a critical decision – consider Liu’s approach. Focus on the joy of the process, the opportunity to showcase your skills, and the intrinsic rewards of doing your best. Ask yourself: when everything feels on the line, what helps *you* lower the mental stakes? And then, trust your preparation to carry you through.

The World Championships in Prague will undoubtedly be a compelling event, but the most vital competition may be the internal one – the battle to manage pressure, maintain focus, and perform at your peak. It’s a lesson that extends far beyond the ice rink, offering valuable insights for anyone striving for success in a high-pressure world.