As in sport, the objective of business is winning—but there is a lot more to it.
An athlete competes in a sport to win for themself, their team, fans, team owners, sponsors and often for their hometown, school or country. Business professionals work to attain promotions, hit benchmarks, earn raises, improve stock value and enjoy an elevated status at their company.
To improve in a sport, one must practice relentlessly and experience losses and wins over time. Athletes must have the right skills, support system, equipment and mindset to be successful. They love their sport and forge deep bonds with their teammates. The trophies and recognition from winning may be the goal, but playing the game is their passion. Similarly, highly successful business leaders are curious, lifelong learners who seek to improve their leadership quality, business acumen and communication skills to increase revenue—and they enjoy the journey. Here are some traits of the “business athletes” among us.
Business professionals who find passion in their job will strive for excellence by maintaining a growth mindset, always raising the bar for their own performance and increasing their value to the organization. Leaders who are committed to improvement routinely compare their performance with those they consider to be better—they see no real limits to performance. These types of professionals love to study others, learn how to improve and keep their eye on the prize—not only for themselves but for their team, their organization and even their customers.