Research from the Women’s Sports Foundation shows how playing sports influences leadership skills in business
A new report from the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) details how access to sports for women and girls has affected every generation in the United States. The WSF surveyed 2,886 women between the ages of 20 and 80 and found that among those who played sports, 69% held at least one formal leadership role outside of the family. Research has also shown that 71% of those in a formal leadership role hold manager, director, president, or director-level (C-level) positions. Rosicleia Campos, former coach of the Brazilian women’s judo team and current coach of Flamengo, believes that being a former athlete has helped her a lot in becoming a leader.
The deep empathy and understanding that Rosicleia has developed as a competitor are tools that can be translated into the business world. “Understanding the emotions and challenges of a team is crucial to motivating and leading them effectively, and having been an athlete gave me this insight. It was essential to create an environment where each judoka not only understood their role, but felt also responsible for their own work. This promoted resilience and motivation and helped them overcome adversity with confidence.
New data on women and work
A 2023 Deloitte survey found that 69% of women who earn more than $100,000 per year and are in leadership roles play competitive sports. Furthermore, 85% of those who play sports say that the skills developed in sports have been important for their professional success.” Judo, like other sports, helps in teamwork, emotional strengthening, self-knowledge and , above all, in the feeling of facing defeats. We can only achieve victories through defeats in competitions. Now with social networks, where we only publish results and happiness, having this feeling that sport gives of not always winning is essential for a position of leadership, where there are more doubts and errors than certainties and successes.” says Rosicleia.
According to the coach, when he took charge of the Brazilian national team, his main objective was to establish a clear identity for the group and ensure that each member felt they had a vital role in the collective success. “In the corporate world, building a team with a strong sense of identity means that employees understand and embrace the vision and values ​​of the organization. The Flamengo coach emphasizes that this encourages autonomy and gives people the ability to make decisions and innovate.
It’s all about team and leadership
When leading a company, this ability to connect with team members and understand their needs can lead to more effective communication and increased morale and productivity. Adapting strategies, demonstrating empathy and inspiring are skills that transcend the boundaries of sport. They are successfully applicable to achieve exceptional results in any working environment. Leaders who share their stories of overcoming and success can motivate their teams to achieve their goals and face challenges with determination.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
