Here’s why all executives need to start thinking like sportspersons – and be obsessed with getting better
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A keen follower of sports and a fairly active sportsperson myself. I feel there is a lot to learn from sports and sportspersons, like resilience, determination, persistence, the ability to perform under pressure and the sportsperson’s spirit. One of the biggest differences between a sportsperson and you and me at work is the sportsperson’s obsessive focus on getting better—they spend more time sharpening the axe than cutting the wood, while we spend more time cutting the wood than sharpening the axe. Some of that is due to the different contexts and can’t be helped, but some of it is in our hands.
The other thing I observed about sportspersons that’s different from us worker bees is their willingness to take coaching to get better. A sportsperson is willing to let the coach run their lives at times. Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu allowed Pullela Gopichand to literally manage their lives so that he could make them better at badminton. They were willing to take instructions from him that would dictate their lives—when to wake up, which exercises to perform, how much to practice, what to eat, etc. We have heard the same stories about Ramakant Achrekar and Sachin Tendulkar, about Tiger Woods’ father and Tiger, and about how the Williams sisters’ father made Serena and Venus chase balls that were considered impossible to return.
Two things stand out for me in those stories:
1. The willingness of the sportsperson to take external assistance in the form of a coach in their effort to get better and become world-class. This is far greater than the willingness we show to take external help.
2. The contract between the sportsperson and the coach is very clear—‘I want you to make me better and in return, I am willing to do anything you ask me to’.
The contract, effectively, is a get better contract, not a results contract.
Bu hikaye Businessworld dergisinin January 19, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Businessworld dergisinin January 19, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Gauging Trumponomics For India
Despite some shortto mediumterm headwinds in trade and immigration, the broader Indo-US vision of counterbalancing China’s influence is expected to ensure continued cooperation under Trump 2.0
Reflections on Consciousness and Creation
Indian-American DEEPAK CHOPRA on the nature of the universe, the digital fabric of existence, and the power of a conscious mind
MORE TAKE TO DRIVING IN STYLE
High-end luxury vehicles are no longer part of a niche market, but a rapidly expanding segment of automobile sales, driven by changing consumer preferences, rising disposable incomes and better infrastructure
India's Growing Affinity for Swiss Watches: A Luxury on the Rise
NDIA'S ROBUST ECONOMIC growth, projected to exceed 6 per cent in 2024 and 2025, is fostering a rising demand for aspirational products. As disposable incomes increase, particularly among the expanding middle class, luxury goods such as Swiss-made watches are gaining popularity.
An ENRiching Outlook
KPMG's latest report shows energy CEOs being optimistic about the sector's outlook. ANISH DE, Global Head, ENRC, KPMG speaks to BW Businessworld's Arjun Yadav on what's driving this confidence
Paving the Path to a Sustainable Future
Salesforce's ESG journey has made an impact beyond the company. SUNYA NORMAN, SVP of ESG Strategy and Engagement at Salesforce, shares more on how the tech giant integrates sustainability into its core operations, supporting global goals while empowering employees
LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AT XIAOMI INDIA
Xiaomi India is experiencing a leadership evolution, beginning with Muralikrishnan B's departure as President by the end of 2024. This change underscores Xiaomi's shift towards nurturing local talent amidst dynamic global shifts. The story tracks key transitions from Manu Kumar Jain's leadership to Muralikrishnan B's impactful tenure, along with recent strategic hires, highlighting Xiaomi's alignment towards market adaptability and consumer focus
WEAVING SUSTAINABILITY
Once a modest home textile manufacturer, Jindal Worldwide has evolved into a vertically integrated textile powerhouse, spanning critical segments of the yarn and fabric value chain
FORCE FOR GOOD
FY24 saw capacity expansions for Century Enka in nylon and polyester segments, along with investments in modernisation, renewable energy, and safety initiatives
REIMAGINING TOMORROW
For V-Guard, tomorrow signifies progress, driven by today's actions, setting the foundation for future growth and value creation for all stakeholders