Sports to Suits: The Value of an Athlete to an Employer
In this blog
Sports have a unique way of uniting people together on a global scale. It brings benefits to the community, to businesses and to the overall economy.
Often overlooked are the benefits that the athletes themselves receive from their participation. While the physical benefits of participating in sports are well-documented, the skills and experiences gained from the daily, seasonal, and/or yearly process can also significantly enhance one's readiness for life after sport, the workforce.
I like to think business is a team sport. As a former collegiate athlete, I found success in embracing the challenge of excelling in the workforce by drawing on my strengths as an athlete. I have personally benefitted by utilizing what I learned on the field and in the locker room at the office and in the boardroom.
In this blog, I'll explore the various ways in which sports can provide the foundation that will help them succeed in the workforce.
Discipline and work ethic
Success during competition demands long term discipline and a strong work ethic. The grind of daily practice, commitment to your goals and how you react to adversity are key focus areas in any successful athlete.
If put into practice regularly, it provides a seamless transition to the professional world and are key to climbing the career ladder. If you put in the effort, it will be recognized by your employer!
Leadership skills
As a fan you will often hear recognition of an athlete's locker room presence. This can be in the form of team captaincy, mentorship to younger players or a motivational presence during or before pivotal matches.
Athletes in those positions develop leadership habits that are highly sought after in the workplace. The ability to get a collective group passionately aligned on goals and the process to achieve them will be recognized by your employer!
Adaptability and coachability
It is no secret that sports are unpredictable. Whether its game-winning shots, injuries, or Cinderella-story upsets, there comes a point where the athlete must adapt to change and stay focused on the goal at hand. They need to be able to take on instruction from coaches and teammates to fine tune or in some cases change their strategy/approach.
The same is true in business.
New employees joining the team, economic changes, or new business processes happen all the time. If you can adapt to those changes with grace and a willingness to get the job done, it will be recognized by your employer!
Trust and humility
In every sport, athletes must trust in their own abilities, their coaches and their team to succeed. It is the foundation of teamwork.
Humility is a key to preserve that trust. It is the recognition that there is always room for improvement. Athletes who remain humble are open to learning, seeking feedback and adapting to new strategies and techniques.
This mindset is essential for growth and staying competitive. Productive teams rely on the actions and expertise of each other. In the workforce having both behavioral and business trust put organizations in the best possible position to succeed. If you can foster the growth of trust and act with humility, it will be recognized by your employer.
Conclusion
Sport is not just a game, it's a platform for individual growth. Whether it is recreational, competitive or even at the professional ranks; it can equip you with personal skills and attributes that make a successful candidate for the workforce.
The key is practice.
World Wide Technology is a proud sponsor of the St. Andrews Collegiate Golf Tournament. The tournament brings together a group of collegiate athletes to compete at one of the most famous golf courses in the world.
We are excited to invest in a platform that not only allows athletes to shine during competition but to also give them yet another chance to develop meaningful skills as they move into the next phase of their lives.