From Snooker to Business Life: The Crucial Value of Experience

Some of you know my interest in snooker, and how inspiring matches can spark my reflections on the business world. This time, it took three years for inspiration to come, following the 2024 German Masters final between Judd Trump and Si Jiahui.

Judd Trump: An exceptional journey

Turning professional in five years, he rose to become a world champion and number one player. His talent is undeniable, and very highly regarded. He champions ideas towards new ways, fresh approaches to the game. His ambition, reflected in his behaviour and tone, often seemed to border on arrogance. While his natural skills and quick thinking are undeniable, they sometimes led to impulsive decisions and impatience under pressure. He often blamed others for mistakes, hindering his development. In German Masters, I’ve seen a more mature Trump, keeping the game in control, observing each and every move, also acknowledging effort and good game.?

Si Jiahui: Determination and consistent growth

Si Jiahui's story is a very different one. Receiving his professional card in 2019, he lost it two years later. Regardless, he continued competing as an amateur and faced discouraging remarks from some senior players amid his successes. This didn't break him. He re-joined the tour in 2023, reaching his first quarter-final at the European Masters. His dedication propelled him from 80th in the world rankings to 36th within a year. The consistency and talent he displayed throughout the 2024 German Masters landed him in the final against Trump.

Reflections from the game

I like to see contrast in journeys, it triggers our curiosity, it pushes us to connect on different levels and it brings variety into the business. In addition to this,?

Talent alone is not enough. We all have our talents. In corporate life, some of these come in handy and some do not. While essential, talent on its own doesn’t cut it in the corporate world. We always need to be on the way, gaining new knowledge, acquiring new skills…and always have a positive mindset.

Resilience matters. Having a positive mindset, a curious nature is half of resilience. They will help us overcome setbacks and push us to find opportunities to take us further. Dealing with criticism is not always easy. Again, how we process the criticism and what we make of it makes all the difference.

Humility fosters growth. Arrogance can hinder learning and create unnecessary conflict. Figuring out our own comfortable boundaries of owning our successes, being proud of our accomplishments, knowing and showing our strengths and pushing those boundaries is a great way to build courage, confidence and pride while still having our feet on the ground.???

Experience: The Deciding Factor

The final was a nail-biter, showcasing both players' skills. However, as the tension mounted, a crucial factor emerged: experience. While Si displayed immense talent, his inexperience in handling high-pressure situations proved costly. He struggled with reading the table, choosing the right shot, and executing the shot under pressure, costing him the title.

Even the commentators acknowledged this: "His positioning showed his inexperience, yet how far he's come and how consistent his game was shows how talented and a worthy contender he is. The question is how can you demonstrate your great potential against a great player?"

From Snooker Table to Business Life:

This observation made me reflect on the business value of experience. How can we nurture talent and help them reach their full potential? What role do leaders play in this critical process?

What do you think?