Why Companies Should Hire Athletes
Those "dumb jocks" may not be so dumb after all.
Athletes, current and former, possess invaluable skills and values that are hard to quantify on a resume or job application. These individuals are highly motivated, fiercely determined, and exceptionally driven. Athletes are among the most successful and influential business leaders in the world.
Ernst and Young, one of the most reputable accounting and consulting firms globally, found that out of 821 high-level executives, over 90% were former athletes. Moreover, the company found that 95% of Fortune 500 C-suite executives played sports. That number is an astonishing and impressive statistic given the common misconception that athletic ability and academic success are inversely related—also known as the "dumb jock" stereotype.
In reality, multiple studies disprove this delusion. Research conducted by Dr. Roger Whitley of East Carolina University shows that most student athletes outperform their non-athlete counterparts. Specifically, the study found that athletes outperformed non-athletes by measurement of GPA, attendance, discipline referrals, dropout rates, and graduation rates.
Outside of organized academic or club sports, leisure athletes who complete marathons or triathlons—or even those who simply exercise regularly—also reap benefits that increase their productivity and effectiveness as employees.
Ulrica von Thiele Schwarz, Ph.D. in psychology, reported that two and half hours of exercise per week led to increased self-rated productivity, increased quality of work, and decreased sickness absence.
To further back this conclusion, Peter Limbach of the Social Science Research Network examined data on CEOs of S&P 1500 companies. He studied which CEOs had run a marathon each year and matched these findings with each company's market value compared to its book value over ten years. Limbach found that companies with CEOs who were marathon runners were 5% more valuable than companies led by CEOs who were not. The idea is that individuals who train for marathons—and those who exercise in general—are highly motivated by personal success. This level of dedication increases productivity, creativity, and motivation in the workplace.
So what is it exactly? What makes athletes so successful in a business setting? Through participation in sports, athletes develop several soft skills such as teamwork, work ethic, accountability, mental toughness, drive, and ambition. These attributes make athletes and former athletes ideal candidates for any organization.
Teamwork
Whether as individuals or part of a team, athletes know how to work towards a common goal. They understand that each team member is crucial to a team's success. Phil Jackson, considered one of the greatest coaches in NBA history, famously said, "The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each individual member is the team." Jackson understood the importance of teamwork, which allowed him to win a league-record 13 combined NBA titles as a player and coach. The best sports teams have a few things in common: trust, respect, and effective communication.
Research shows that collaborative problem-solving leads to better outcomes. Employees who make the most significant impact are the ones who do the job that is needed, take charge during ambiguity, and make work light for others. These individuals realize teamwork is essential for maximizing productivity and efficiency.
Work ethic
Dominant athletes put in hours and hours of work every week. They are the first ones in and the last ones out. They put in the work even when they don't want to.
Even the most naturally talented individuals in sports cannot get by without a strong work ethic. Success demands determination, grit, and sacrifice. In the words of Kevin Durant, an NBA MVP and two-time champion,
"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."
While possessing natural skill and talent is desirable for a potential hire, a strong work ethic is even more critical. Employees can attain skills and knowledge through training and onboarding, but attitude and behavior are difficult to change. Individuals who know how to work hard and make sacrifices to accomplish their goals have unlimited potential to achieve greatness.
A strong work ethic is contagious—when someone is working tirelessly to achieve something, that person motivates and inspires others to do the same.
Accountability
Playing sports teaches athletes to be held accountable for their actions. Athletes are responsible not only to their team, but also to their coach, fans, and the city in which they play. Athletes are playing for something greater than themselves. This level of responsibility and maturity translates well to the workplace.
Employees who take responsibility, embrace criticism, and work tirelessly to fix problems add exceptional value to any business. These employees have an impact on their bosses, clients, co-workers, and shareholders.
Failure is inevitable, but an employee who takes ownership—who doesn't blame others or make excuses—is an incredible asset. Taking responsibility shows character, honesty, and humility. Employees who demonstrate responsibility show that they are confident in themselves and in their ability to fix the problem.
Winton Churchill said, "The price of greatness is responsibility." Accountability is not simply taking the blame when something goes wrong. Accountability is about delivering on a commitment.
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Mental toughness
In addition to physical talent and athletic ability, the ability to remain calm under pressure, thrive in stressful situations, and handle harsh feedback is an attribute of any successful athlete. Athletes are no stranger to adversity and disappointment. They overcome obstacles—whether an injury, an overtime loss, or a less-than-ideal performance during a big game.
Athletes are adept at controlling their emotions, which enables them to block out distractions and focus on the current task.
Difficulties and obstacles are guaranteed to arise in any workplace environment.
In the book Impact Players, best-selling author and business executive Liz Wiseman describes the most frequent everyday problems in the workplace: (1) messy problems, (2) unclear roles, (3) unforeseen obstacles, (4) moving targets, and (5) unrelenting demands. Business environments are fluid, unpredictable, and ever-changing.
Wiseman explains that the difference between an impact player—a high-level contributor who consistently delivers excellent performance and goes above and beyond—and an average employee is how the employee sees these challenges. Great employees see them as opportunities; a chance to showcase their abilities and deliver results under pressure.
Drive
Athletes have drive, meaning they have an incredible urge and motivation to attain goals and accomplish feats. They are dedicated and resilient. They are never satisfied with the result. They want to do better and become better. They are constantly improving themselves and work relentlessly to maximize their potential.
Kevin Kniffin, Brian Wansink, and Mitsuru Shimizu of Cornell University published a study that documents just how driven athletes are. The study concluded that former high-school athletes generally go on to have higher-status careers than those who didn't play a sport.
Furthermore, former athletes' wages are between 5 and 15 percent higher than those who participated in other activities such as marching band or yearbook club. This earnings disparity does not appear to exist for any other extracurricular activity.
Employees who are passionate and dedicated are more committed and engaged in their company's goals and agenda. They are more willing to put in the extra work or go above and beyond to meet deadlines or deliver exceptional services. These employees help establish a company culture that manifests passion, ambition, and success.
Ambition
Athletes know how to visualize success, set goals, develop a plan, and achieve results. They learn that setting goals is how progress is measured and that tactfully accomplishing small goals over time allows for greater, more monumental goals to be attained.
Training rigorously and persistently in pursuit of their dreams, most athletes spend hours and hours behind the scenes when no one is watching—working in silence until their primetime moment arrives. They are gritty, persevering, and relentless. They want to win and succeed at all costs.
Setting and attaining goals is critical in the workplace. It sparks motivation, builds clarity, and gives stakeholders a trajectory of the company's future. When everyone knows what they're working toward, they can narrow their focus and key in on their personal objectives.
Setting SMART goals in the workplace is important—goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based. These elements work together to establish a conscientiously planned, crystal clear, and easily trackable goal. If you aim for nothing, you'll hit it every time.
"No matter how good you get, you can always get better. That's the exciting part."
- Tiger Woods
Conclusion
Of course, hiring an athlete does not guarantee a successful hire or that the most qualified applicant is selected. Many of the qualities mentioned earlier can be found in anyone who displays enthusiasm and excitement towards a passion; however, it is clear that participation in sports leads to the development of critical skills that translate to success and leadership in the workplace.
Employers should look past the "dumb jock" stereotype. Instead, they should look favorably at athletes and former athletes as potential new hires. The skills and mindset athletes bring to the table could be just what a company needs to achieve its goals and reach new heights.
Endnotes