Author: People Chaduneli
People & Organizational Development Consultant
There may be more in common between athletic performance and business leadership than it seems at first glance. Both require endurance, strategy, continuous development, and the ability to make quick decisions. But how can organizational leaders apply the success principles of elite athletes to their own work?
The Evolution of Modern Sports: A Lesson for Leaders
Sports fans especially enjoy comparing today’s stars with the legends of the past. However, despite nostalgic feelings, it is clear that modern athletes surpass their predecessors in almost every aspect.
They are stronger, faster, better prepared, and better equipped. Advances in technology and sports science - including nutrition, recovery, tactics, and technique refinement - have elevated athletes to a level that would have been unimaginable 25 years ago.
New Challenges for CEOs: Why an Athletic Mindset Is Essential
Modern leaders can learn a lot from this progress. Today, CEOs must constantly respond to new threats and changes - often with incomplete information and under the scrutiny of the public eye. Employee expectations have risen, technology is evolving at lightning speed, and global politics remain unstable. Even a small mistake can become the target of harsh criticism, especially on social media.
McKinsey’s 2024 study showed that a modern leader needs: positive energy, service, a constant desire to learn, endurance, humor, and shared responsibility. Bringing these qualities into daily practice is challenging – but the best leaders manage to do it. They achieve a shift in mindset similar to the transformation elite athletes undergo during preparation, training, and competition.
1. They manage their time intentionally
LeBron James’s career is a perfect example of discipline and time management. His daily routine – starting with a cold shower in the morning and ending with deep sleep – has continued for 22 years. In this system, every minute is carefully planned. Multiple sources say LeBron spends over a million dollars a year caring for his body and mind.
Top CEOs approach time in a similar way. They focus on tasks that only they can accomplish and create space to act perfectly in critical moments.
One popular approach is the “strict but flexible calendar” – pre-planned meetings combined with free blocks that allow for quick reactions and rest. For all this, leaders need a strong support system around them – assistants, a chief of staff, etc.
Time management is more than just a schedule – the path to success depends on reacting correctly in decisive moments. Roger Federer won 80% of his matches even when he only won 54% of the points – because he prioritized winning the crucial points.
The right moment must be chosen carefully. Many CEOs dedicate one day per month entirely to strategic matters and global trends so they don’t lose sight of the big picture in their daily routine.
2. They master the art of recovery
Recovery is just as important in sports as training. Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge follows the principle: “Push to the limit, then rest.” Athletes rely on proper nutrition, hydration, massage, yoga, and mindfulness techniques.
Cristiano Ronaldo prepares his body for physical strain through a strict diet and training, while Novak Djokovic attributes his mental toughness to mindfulness practices.
This approach is equally important for leaders – they need a systematic way to restore energy: regular physical activity, rest, and meditation. Today, many leaders strictly monitor their sleep quality, diet, and avoid alcohol. Without regular recovery, mental and emotional resilience deteriorates.
The serial sprint model is correct – work intensely, then take a break and re-engage. This maintains personal balance and allows leaders to become a source of energy for others.
3. They are constantly learning
In 2019, Bryson DeChambeau decided that being “good” was not enough for him – he changed his playing style, adjusted his diet, added 18 more kilograms of muscle mass, and won the U.S. Open twice.
Manny Pacquiao’s example is also remarkable: he and his coach studied every opponent’s strengths and weaknesses together – this is what made Pacquiao one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Modern leaders act similarly – they never assume they know everything. They are curious about different disciplines and listen to diverse perspectives, whether from clients, competitors, or junior employees.
The best leaders create their own learning opportunities – conducting field visits and joining boards of various companies. As Satya Nadella says: “A learner achieves more than someone who is merely knowledgeable.”
4. They use data as an advantage
In the world of Formula 1, up to a billion pieces of data are collected during a single race – about the car, the driver, and the environment. All this data is processed in real time, giving the team the ability to adjust strategy and win by fractions of a second.
While the car is equipped with sensors, the human factor remains critically important. Still, data and analytics genuinely help athletes maximize their potential and elevate the performance of the entire team in the process.
The same applies in business – modern CEOs analyze their own and their team’s productivity data every week. They use artificial intelligence, analytics, and digital tools to make fast and smart decisions. Many also rely on smartwatches to monitor sleep, physical activity, and energy levels.
5. They are resilient and adaptable
Simone Biles was set to compete at the Tokyo Olympics but withdrew due to the “twisties” – a condition where a gymnast loses spatial awareness. However, she didn’t leave – she stayed to support her teammates and soon returned to the gym, fully recovered, winning a bronze medal on the Balance Beam. After the Games, she took a break and added therapy to her training routine. This paid off – in 2024, she led the U.S. team to gold at the Paris Olympics and personally won four medals.
Muhammad Ali’s words perfectly capture this: “You don’t lose when you fall – you lose when you don’t get up.”
Modern CEOs need the same resilience – to withstand global crises and constantly changing trends. A strong mindset is an essential attribute for the role. They learn to engage with criticism healthily and direct their energy toward the areas that matter most.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon says he always gives his best to tackle difficult and unexpected challenges: “People need to see that even if you make mistakes, you’re ready to acknowledge and correct them.”
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang views resilience as a core part of managing the company and says: “People with overly high expectations often have low endurance. Unfortunately, resilience is decisive for success. I don’t know how to teach this… other than hoping you endure pain and hardship. In our company, I often say ‘pain and hardship’ – and I say it willingly.”
Overcoming mistakes and correcting them is the strength of a modern leader. They build stress immunity without losing their humanity. This is how their “resilience muscle” is trained – shaping 21st-century leaders who are humble, consistently supportive of their teams, and ready to face failure with dignity.
