Before I ever managed a team or sat in a boardroom, I was running cross country and diving into swimming pools at the crack of dawn. Growing up in Pittsburgh, I wasn’t thinking about leadership in a corporate sense. I just wanted to beat my best time, win races, and make my coaches proud. But looking back, I realize those early experiences in sports shaped how I lead today.
Whether it was pushing through a long-distance run or waking up for two-a-day swim practices, sports taught me how to show up, even when it wasn’t easy. That mindset is something I carry with me every day in my role as a Senior Director.
Discipline Is the Foundation
There’s no shortcut in competitive sports. If you want to be good, you have to put in the time. Training, nutrition, rest, focus—it all has to come together. You’re constantly setting goals and working toward them, not just with motivation but with structure.
That discipline translated directly into my professional life. When you’re managing people, projects, and expectations, the ability to stay consistent—even when things get tough—is critical. Sports taught me that habits matter more than hype. As a leader, I don’t ask my team to work harder than I’m willing to work myself. That mindset came from years of showing up for practice in all weather, win or lose.
Teamwork Isn’t Just About Playing Nice
In sports, you learn quickly that talent alone doesn’t win meets or matches—it’s teamwork. In cross country, the fifth runner can make or break a team score. In swimming, relay teams have to trust each other completely. Everyone has a role, and no one succeeds alone.
That perspective helped shape the way I approach team building at work. In leadership, you can’t just look at individual achievements—you have to understand how the team fits together. A strong team isn’t about everyone doing the same thing—it’s about everyone doing their part and lifting each other up when it counts. Some of the best managers I know operate more like team captains than bosses, and that’s the kind of leadership I aim for.
Losing Teaches More Than Winning
I didn’t win every race. In fact, I lost more than I won. But each loss taught me something—about preparation, about attitude, and most importantly, about resilience. In sports, failure is immediate and visible. There’s no hiding it. But you get used to bouncing back, resetting, and trying again.
That ability to recover from failure is essential in business. Not every project goes as planned. Not every pitch lands. But how you respond—how you learn, adjust, and move forward—sets the tone for your team. I encourage the people I lead to take smart risks, and I’m honest about setbacks. That authenticity builds trust and makes success feel earned.
Coaching Is Leadership
I’ve had coaches who inspired me and some who didn’t. The ones who stuck with me the most weren’t the loudest—they were the ones who saw potential in me, even when I didn’t see it myself. They pushed me, held me accountable, and believed in my ability to grow.
That’s the leadership style I’ve adopted. I see my role not as a taskmaster but as a coach. I try to meet people where they are, understand their strengths, and challenge them to stretch beyond their comfort zones. Sometimes that means giving tough feedback, but it always comes from a place of wanting to help someone improve.
Competing With Class
Another thing sports teach you early on is sportsmanship. You learn how to compete fiercely but fairly. You shake hands after the race. You respect the rules and your opponents. That sense of integrity carries over into the workplace.
In leadership, your reputation is everything. How you handle competition, conflict, and even success says a lot about your character. I’ve found that staying grounded, giving credit where it’s due, and treating people with respect—no matter their title—builds long-term relationships and a strong culture. The people I’ve respected most in business are the ones who lead with both strength and humility.
The Long Game
If there’s one thing sports teach you above all, it’s patience. You don’t become a state champion in one season. You don’t build endurance overnight. It takes repetition, setbacks, and time. Leadership is the same. You have to be in it for the long game. You invest in people, processes, and outcomes that may not pay off right away.
I often find myself thinking about those early morning runs or long swim meets when I’m working through a challenging quarter or helping a team through a transition. I remind myself that growth isn’t always visible, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening. You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I never would have guessed that high school sports would have such a lasting impact on my leadership style. But here I am, years later, still applying the lessons I learned on the track and in the pool to the way I lead teams, build relationships, and pursue goals.
Competitive sports gave me more than medals or records. They gave me grit, empathy, accountability, and vision. And in today’s world, I’d say those are some of the most important tools a leader can have.