The Boundless Leader No. 9: Billie Jean King on what makes a champion

Last summer, my family attended the women’s singles championship match at Wimbledon. The incredible play, sportsmanship and overall experience were just amazing. We have so many great memories. And the strawberries and cream were better than I imagined. 

Among the many dignitaries and celebrities present was former champion Billie Jean King. I will never forget her sharing with me a couple of years ago her mindset for winning championships. 

First, she said that champions are made in the 22 seconds between each point. In those brief moments, a champion recovers, centers themselves, then comes back to win one point at a time.  

Second, she said that a bad shot is never a failure, it’s feedback. 

What a fantastic perspective! 

Can you imagine how much better our lives would be if we remembered that bit of advice every time something didn’t go our way? Imagine if we didn’t automatically get down on ourselves for an “unforced error”? Life would be so different. 

Onward and upward.

McKeel Hagerty is CEO of Hagerty (NYSE: HGTY)