A report by Ernst & Young, surveying 821 high-level executives, reveals that 90% of female executives participated in sports during their youth, with this figure soaring to 96% among those in C-suite roles.
Alex Flanagan, a reporter and host for NBC Sports and NFL Network, and a mother of two sports-loving children, launched a blog for parents called “I Love to Watch You Play.” The blog offers insights on balancing life with youth sports and provides valuable resources for parents.
Flanagan recently shared an infographic from The Drive Group, a recruitment firm, illustrating the benefits of hiring athletes. This compelling visual connects lessons learned in youth sports with key skills needed for success in the business world.
According to the infographic, 95% of Fortune 500 CEOs participated in college sports, including notable figures like Walter Robb, former CEO of Whole Foods, and Indra Nooyi, a former college cricket player who became the CEO of PepsiCo.
Former College Athletes
Before thriving in the business world, many of America’s top CEOs were college athletes. Jeffrey Immelt, former CEO of GE, played football for Dartmouth, progressing from co-captain of the junior varsity team to starting offensive tackle in his senior year.
In the National Football Foundation’s “Football Matters to Me” campaign, Immelt reflected on the valuable life lessons gained on the field, emphasizing the teamwork, resilience, and strategic thinking that he carried into his career. He highlighted the experience of striving for dramatic wins as part of a team, acknowledging that not every play or situation is successful, but there’s always a chance to try again.
John Donahoe, currently the CEO of Nike, played basketball at Dartmouth College from 1978 to 1982, achieving notable success on the junior varsity team. Before leading Nike, Donahoe served as CEO of Bain & Company, ServiceNow, and eBay, showcasing a career marked by leadership and innovation.
Building Social Skills
Playing sports offers more than physical health benefits; it significantly enhances social skills, stress release, mood improvement, and mental health. Sports cultivate commitment, determination, and a competitive mindset—attributes that easily translate to corporate success. For businesses aiming to narrow the gender gap, the value of sports should not be underestimated, as highlighted by Ernst & Young’s report.
Meg Whitman, former CEO of Hewlett Packard and author of The Power of Many: Values for Success in Business and in Life, notes that she applies basketball strategies learned in college, like “Let’s throw the ball around a little before a game” and “Do we need man-to-man or zone defense?” when assembling business teams.
Breaking Gender Norms
Sports empower women to challenge gender norms, a significant barrier to achieving executive roles. They instill values of teamwork and dedication, transforming participants into diligent individuals eager for advancement and responsibility.
Irene Rosenfeld, former CEO of Mondelēz International, exemplifies this. Once a basketball player at Cornell, she transitioned to the corporate world after her athletic career ended in her freshman year. She continued to fuel her competitive spirit through intramural sports and eventually led a $26 billion company, renowned for products like Fig Newtons, Oreos, and Triscuits.
Facilitating Networking
Sports organizations also enhance networking opportunities. Sociologist Lauren Rivera notes that candidates who participated in sports prevalent at Ivy League schools or exclusive club sports, such as tennis, lacrosse, field hockey, and squash, have higher hiring rates. All sports promote the development of teamwork and leadership skills.
Moreover, there’s a link between college sports and wealth, as many require substantial financial investment from parents. Transporting children to games and training sessions demands time, resources, and energy that some families find challenging to provide. Consequently, college athletes often hail from more affluent backgrounds, increasing their opportunities both academically and in life.
Notably, many CEOs played sports in their youth. Mark Zuckerberg was a high school fencing star, and Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America, played rugby at Brown. A wealth of research indicates that early sports participation instills teamwork, leadership, and hard work—qualities that are invaluable in the corporate world and beyond.
