Ever wonder why the term “team” is used both in sports and in the business world? Sure, it might be overused by managers across the country, but it has some truth to it, as there are a lot of parallels between playing sports and working in the business world.
In fact, many successful business people today either used to play a sport or currently play one. Former athletes can succeed in business because many of the key traits needed to excel in a sport are also important in business.
In this article, we’ll go over three of the most important qualities and characteristics that athletes bring to the business world, and how you can acquire them yourself.
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Self-Discipline
If you want to achieve your goals, whether they be athletic goals or business, you need some good self-discipline. If you want more self-discipline in your work, try to implement it in other areas of your life first, like exercising. Pretty much every athlete sets goals for themselves, which helps them keep on track with training or competing.
A great way to implement self-discipline in your work life is to start running. It’s a very straightforward form of exercise, and you don’t need much equipment or know-how to get started. You can start by setting simple goals, such as running a set distance a certain number of times per week.
As you run more, you’ll probably notice a difference in how you look at your work. So many successful business people choose to run as a form of exercise, as it is a fantastic stress reliever and can be done in so many different ways. For example, Michael Capiraso is both a New York Marathon runner and a successful corporate leader.
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Initiative
Another trait that successful business people and athletes share is the ability to take the initiative. In business, the most successful individuals are those that take matters into their own hands. Taking the initiative doesn’t necessarily mean starting new projects without consulting anyone, but rather completing projects ahead of time, and helping other people with their work.
Athletes already possess this trait, as taking the initiative is something all athletes have to do in order to get better at their sport. For example, calling your teammate in soccer to pass the ball, is taking the initiative. Ask Kai Hearings, a former Indian soccer player who developed the JZ Design Game Case, a rotatable monitor, and a game case.
Now, if you aren’t part of a team sport, you can still take the initiative on your own while exercising. For example, choosing to go out for a run or to the gym is another perfect example of taking the initiative. Just try to make a decision you wouldn’t normally make, and follow through with that decision.
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Passion
Most professional athletes will tell you that they aren’t in it for the money or fame. They play because they’re passionate about the sport.
The same is true for successful business people. Many business people are successful because of the passion they have for their project, not their desire to earn money.
There are countless examples of CEOs stating that their motivation is not money, but something else entirely. Check out this article from CNBC, which explains that Elon Musk’s primary motivation is to be able to create a better future.
By finding a sport — or any activity, really — that you’re passionate about, you’ll find it easier to discover other things that you’re passionate about. If you’re able to appreciate your job, then you’ll be that much more productive while working.
Before you go
We hope you found some of the information in this article enlightening, and that you try to apply some of these traits to your own life, whether it be in business or fitness. Remember to prioritize a good life-work balance, and start being a team player!