Athlete Mindset In Business

Over the past few weeks, I have seen a lot of articles and posts floating around on LinkedIn about the athlete mindset in the corporate and business world. As someone who has been on both sides of the fence, I figured I would share my two cents on the topic.

So, firstly, what is the athlete’s mindset in business?

An athlete mindset in the corporate world refers to certain qualities and approaches commonly associated with successful athletes. These characteristics are often valued in the professional world for their potential to drive performance, resilience, and a competitive edge.

Here are some key elements of an athlete mindset in the corporate world:

🏆 Goal-Oriented

💪 Discipline and Dedication

🏅 Competitiveness

📖 Continuous Learning and Improvement

📈 Focus and Mental Toughness

🤝 Teamwork and Collaboration

⏳ Time Management

🤸♀️ Adaptability and Agility

The skills I honed on the slopes competing at an international level in freestyle skiing have proven to be invaluable assets, influencing my approach to challenges and opportunities in the corporate sphere, but they have also led me to see some serious downsides to this mindset.

Positive Impact:

Resilience and Grit: The resilience I cultivated in overcoming setbacks on the slopes has translated seamlessly into a professional context. When difficult circumstances arise, I have found that I am able to approach them with tenacity and an unwavering commitment to finding solutions.

Goal Setting and Focus: Goal-setting or being goal orientated is an attribute which is widely sought after in the realm of business. The ability to set clear, measurable objectives and maintain consistent focus has proven instrumental in strategising and executing projects with precision.

Team Collaboration: While freestyle skiing appears to be an individual endeavour, behind-the-scenes collaboration is indispensable. My collaboration as an athlete with my coach, physio and sports therapist is one that has enabled me to transfer effective teamwork and communication into the corporate world.

Negative Impact:

Impatience with Slow Progress: I have found that the dynamic pace of freestyle skiing can foster a sense of urgency that contrasts with the measured progress often characteristic of business endeavours. I think that is why I have been drawn to the events sector, as it provides a fast-paced and challenging environment to keep me engaged. However, I do feel the frustrations of a slow pace from time to time. Learning to be patient and have an appreciation for extended timelines is something that I am still working on appreciating in a professional landscape.

High-Performance Expectations: The pursuit of excellence ingrained in high-performing athletes can set high standards for performance across the board. I have to admit that I am a bit of a perfectionist but it is impossible to be perfect all the time. While I personally aspire to complete my job to the highest level, I have found it difficult to acknowledge the occasional imperfections and adopting a learning and growth mindset has been key in managing my personal expectations.

Competitiveness: Athletes thrive in competitive environments and are driven to be the best in their field. In the corporate world, this means a willingness to compete for opportunities and strive for excellence; however, keeping this to a healthy level can sometimes be tricky, and I have found that self-awareness is key in this area.

Adaptability and Agility: Two extremely great qualities that, coupled with the above points, can be very detrimental. Athletes often face changing conditions, opponents, and strategies. Similarly, in the corporate world, individuals with an athlete mindset are adaptable and able to pivot in response to evolving circumstances. However, when faced with failure, I have personally found that I have gone into overdrive and inevitably ended up burning myself out and sacrificing my own mental and physical well-being to achieve success which, in the end, put me in a position where I felt extremely unhappy and overworked.

From my experience, I think that the athlete mindset is something that is extremely valuable in the business world but something that you should always approach with self-awareness. The positive impact of resilience, goal-setting prowess, and a collaborative mindset has become a guiding force, while the awareness of potential challenges ensures that I have an adaptive approach.