Sports strategies that lead to business success

Marco Costa at Exclaimer describes how a company’s success and vision are built around a team and why it’s important to adopt a ‘gameday’ mentality when doing business

The summer of 2024 is poised to be an unforgettable summer of sport. From the European Football Championships (Euros) and Wimbledon to the Cricket World Cup and the Olympics, these events captivate millions, and teach us valuable lessons about teamwork along the way.

It’s well known that companies that create a culture of effective teamwork increase employee satisfaction, leading to higher productivity and better outcomes. In fact, a study by Oxford University’s Saïd Business School found that employees who are happy are 13% more productive. So, any investment in creating a great team is a worthwhile one.

Let’s explore how the principles of teamwork in sports can be applied to the business world.

Five lessons from sports for the business world

1.The power of the ’gameday’ mentality

Success in both sports and business requires a ’gameday’ mentality. This involves being focused, prepared, and ready to perform at peak levels. But the ‘gameday’ mentality also puts equal emphasis on rest and mental recharge.

While achieving goals is a significant driver of success, businesses must recognise the necessity of giving teams time to switch off and recharge mentally. Continuous pressure without adequate rest can lead to burnout and reduced productivity. A balanced approach ensures sustained performance and long-term success. A report by the American Institute of Stress indicates that stress costs businesses approximately $300 billion annually in lost productivity, making mental downtime crucial.

2. Don’t underestimate the importance of cadence

Remember that the game itself is just one more event in the week. The tactics, moves, and gameplay have been practiced repeatedly. So, when it comes to game time, it’s simply time to put all that you have practiced and mastered into place.

So don’t underestimate the importance of cadence in business. There’s huge power in constantly repeating and refining your tactics and moves. Or as James Clear put it in his book, Atomic Habits, “Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.”

At one time, individual star players might have ruled football. But today, it’s all about the team and mastering the moments of the game. In business, the team is much stronger than the individual and cadence really matters.

3.  There are no goals without the whole team

Consider the role of Harry Kane, one of the world’s best strikers. Despite his exceptional skills, he can’t score goals without the support of his teammates who pass him the ball. This principle applies to the business world as well. Individual accomplishments contribute to overall success, but they must be aligned with the collective goal. 

Research shows that organisations with collaborative workplaces are 5 times as likely to be high performing. Additionally, it’s been found that teams that prioritise collective success over individual gains are 50% more likely to experience higher overall performance.

Even in individual sports like tennis, there’s a whole team of people behind the main player, and they’re all geared towards one goal. Or in the words of basketball legend Michael Jordan, “talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” Don’t underestimate the power of optimising team dynamics.

4. Communication is the cornerstone of trust, on and off the pitch

Effective teamwork hinges on seamless communication and collaboration. Just as players on a football pitch must communicate and work together to execute plays, team members in a business setting must share information and collaborate to achieve objectives. 

Communication is the cornerstone of strategy coordination, building trust and conflict resolution, both on and off the pitch.

Without this foundation, both sports teams and businesses are likely to falter. Studies have shown that companies with highly engaged teams show 21% greater profitability, emphasising the value of good communication and collaboration.

5. Sport is a team game – but the individual matters

In both sports and business, the team’s success outweighs that of any individual. But the power of each individual isn’t to be underestimated. One person’s mistake can cost a team a match or a business a crucial opportunity. In the Euros, a single missed penalty can decide the fate of the entire team, just as one missed deadline or communication breakdown can impact a project. 

Therefore, a strong team starts with strong individuals. Picking the right person for the job is just the first step. Continue with ongoing employee engagement and development to make sure that you have the right skills on the team. It’s also crucial that you have the right managers or team leaders in place to bring out the best in everyone.

Key elements of effective teamwork

According to a survey by Atlassian, when team members are encouraged to adopt an open work style, they’re 80% more likely to report higher emotional well-being. This environment of trust and openness is vital for effective teamwork. Here’s how achieve that:

Honest feedback and mutual respect. Encouraging honest feedback allows team members to address issues constructively, creating an environment of continuous improvement. Mutual respect ensures that everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute their best.

Personal openness. A culture of personal openness helps build strong relationships within the team. When team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences, it leads to better understanding and collaboration.

How to hit a home run

The parallels between sports and business are clear. Both require communication, collaboration, and getting the balance right between optimising individuals and teams. By adopting the lessons learned from sports, businesses can build stronger teams that always hit a home run.

Marco Costa is CEO at Exclaimer

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com and Tempura