There are specific sets of skills needed to excel in a sport, similar to how it takes to become a successful businessman. Many prominent athletes who retire from sports eventually become successful businessmen.
To achieve profitability and growth, successful business leaders can learn mindset hacks. These lessons can help you understand your role as a leader, use the competition to improve yourself and implement the 80/20 principle.
Understand The Role of Leadership – Gary Kirsten
As a professional athlete, Gary developed a passion for cricket. After becoming an international coach, he realized that leadership is more than just motivating a team. It’s also about working toward a better life. Teamwork is the essence of being able to accomplish something. After retiring from playing professional cricket, Gary was approached by the members of the Indian cricket team. He had no coaching experience, but the team was interested in talking to him.
The Indian cricket team has talented players, but they didn’t work as a cohesive unit. This contributed to their failure to perform well on the international stage. The goal of Gary and the members of the Indian cricket team was to help them become a team. During his time with the team, Gary asked the players to commit to one specific goal. This was a turning point in their relationship.
The players realized that they needed to work together to achieve a better collective good. They started to take ownership of the team’s success. By committing to one goal, they could make a binding and honored commitment.
Knowing the Competition Is Essential – David Mocke
Professional athletes, such as Dawid Mocke, believe that competitive sport teaches them how to maximize their opportunities while they’re in action. As a champion in mocke paddling, and founded the Surf Ski School in Cape Town.
Sometimes, it’s essential to focus on the safety of the other players while in the lead. However, if you’re in second place, you need to take advantage of the opportunities available to you. An important factor that professional athletes consider when planning their strategy is the direction they’re going. In his sport, he said that every swell in front of them has an opportunity to create ample opportunity. However, you’ll likely end up going the wrong way unless you can catch each swell.
Entrepreneurs face many opportunities, and they can do anything.
He has learned that there’s no need to reflect on life and business. The opportunities that are available to you will only come once. No matter what level you’re aiming for, fierce competition doesn’t need to create animosity. Just be competitive and do everything you can to get ahead of your opponent. This doesn’t mean that competitive sports should be a cause for hatred.
Know When To Use Emotion in Leadership – Corné Krige
One of South Africa’s most prominent athletes is Corné Krige, a former national team captain. He led a group of athletes in the Survivor South Africa: Champions tournament. In business, people often get emotional because of their passion, livelihood, and income. This is why many entrepreneurs often feel like they have to act fast.
As leaders, we must take a step back and consider the factors that affect our decisions when emotions are high. Although these lessons were originally taught to him during his playing days, they were able to bring him home again after he participated in Survivor. He said it’s important to remember that every decision you make is filled with emotion.
You must be careful while making decisions, as you are not the only one with emotional and tiring conditions. You have to evaluate whether or not you are making the right choices.
Besides making the right decisions, you also have to help your team members manage their emotions.
Although it’s essential to use emotion strategically, it’s also important to remember that it can get better if you don’t manage it properly. As a leader, you must make the right decisions, and managing your emotions is very important.