6 Skills That Transition From Sports To The Business World | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

6 Skills That Transition From Sports To The Business World

What can playing sports teach us about our careers?

88
6 Skills That Transition From Sports To The Business World
warnerpacific.edu

For every athlete at every level, there comes a time when your athletic career comes to an end. For some the end comes sooner rather than later. But for everyone that has had a passion for participating in competitive sports, they know the feelings we go through when it's over.

Several coaches told me that I would be able to use many of the lessons that I learned through athletics later in life in my career, but I didn't fully understand what they meant until I had my first job.

One of the great things about going into business is that the interpersonal skills you learned in sports transition really well into your career. This is why you see a lot of former athletes go into some field of business.

Playing competitive sports teaches you how to be a part of a team, how to handle criticism, leadership techniques, humility and, of course, work ethic. I am sure there are probably more but these are the skills that come to mind.

Textbooks and school are important but life experiences can be just as much, if not more important to your growth. In no way have I perfected these skills but they can play an important role in anyone's career.

1. Teamwork

Just as in any team sport, you have to be willing to be a part of a team. Just like in a basketball game when you have to play with a teammate that you might not get a long with you will have to do the same thing within the workplace. There are always going to be certain individuals that can make completing a team-oriented task difficult and learning how to deal with them is important.

2. Adversity

On many occasions, I was "called-out" for not running a play correctly, turning the ball over, hitting the wrong club or not being a good leader. On top of those individual examples there were many times where our team did not win a game or tournament that we were supposed to. These examples taught me how to handle adversity. This might be one of the best skills you can transition from sports to business, "what do you do when you get knocked down?" How do you respond. There will never be a job where you do everything correctly but learning from your mistakes and overcoming adversity in an important characteristic.

3. Leadership

You do not need to be named captain or be the best player on the team to learn this skill. In fact, a lot of great leaders are created by watching and listening for years, gaining knowledge and then when the time comes, implementing that knowledge in the position they are in. However, you can learn many great leadership and management skills in sports by leading by example in practice or by teaching other players the plays outside of practice so they don't forget them anymore.

4. Humility

We have all been in a situation where we wanted to tell everyone of our accomplishments. However, sports gives you a unique opportunity to learn how to be humble. No one likes a team or player that rubs a loss in the opposing teams face when the game is over just like no one likes a co-worker who brags about a new promotion.

5. Communication

People skills. In the business world you have be able to be personable with both your co-workers and your customer base. At the end of the day, if people do not feel comfortable talking to you, then they will have a hard time working with you in certain positions. Sports gives you an opportunity to learn these people skills that are important.

6. Work Ethic

Last, but certainly not least, in order to play a sport at a high level you have to have a strong work ethic. You need to be willing to put in the extra time and effort in the summers to get better. This transitions to the business world where you will need to put in the extra hours to get an important assignment done by a strict deadline.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

185508
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

11755
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

455613
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25181
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments