"From the Basketball Court to the Boardroom: How College Sports Shaped My Business Career"

Did playing a sport in college actually prepare me for the professional business world?

I get asked this quite often from college students when visiting classrooms.

My answer:

💯 Yes!

But I probably don’t give the typical answer as to why.

Other former college athletes might talk about time management, teamwork, dedication, going the extra mile to accomplish a goal, etc. All very accurate items.

But my experience as a student-athlete in college really prepared me for 3 things.

1️⃣ How to take criticism and still work hard.

I had a coach at the time tell me I was “shitty all week!” Meaning I had practiced really poorly all week and it was noticeable. This was probably the first time I had heard that harsh or honest of feedback and criticism. Hearing that type of criticism so bluntly hurt like hell, but it was accurate. College sports allowed me to figure out how to hear that criticism and work through continuing to bring a good attitude and not shut down. Was I perfect in figuring it out? No. But I’m glad I was able to “practice” and work through it while playing a sport rather than doing it while in a professional role. 

2️⃣ How to work with people I don’t like.

Yes, there were people on our team that I disliked. There people on those teams that weren’t my friends, and never became my friends. That was okay. However, we still had to perform and work together for the success of the team. This happens with teammates, but we at minimum had to agree that we could get our jobs done and work together. And it’s not different in the professional world. There will be people who aren’t your friend and not everyone gets along, but can you coexist to continue to produce? I’m glad I learned this while playing sport vs. figuring it out in the professional world. 

3️⃣ Gaining perspective- Realizing I am small part of something that is much, much bigger than myself.

A college team represents its school, athletic department, city, and sometimes even its state. All things that are bigger than just 1 person. It takes coaches, trainers, athletic directors, event staff, players, former players, and donors to make teams successful. It’s not different in the business world. There are hundreds if not thousands of people that make it possible to do what we are all able to do to professionally. It’s quite the perspective to have, understand, and acknowledge.

Week 49 of 52