From top-level sport to management: how athletes can get ahead in the business world with further training
Top athletes are programmed for peak performance – they train with discipline, act strategically and set themselves ambitious goals. No wonder that many of them make the leap into management after their active careers. A recent study shows that around 23% of former male and 7% of former female Swiss Olympic athletes later work in top management. What is important in the business world? Text: Dr Daniel Fasnacht
Performance counts
Athletes know that success is measured at the decisive moment. The same applies in business. Companies are under intense competitive pressure – speed, resilience and strategic decisions are crucial to staying ahead.
Athletes operate in an environment that constantly demands peak performance. They are goal-oriented, take calculated risks and keep a clear head even under pressure. They analyse defeats, optimise training methods and develop new strategies.
How can athletes transfer their strengths to the business world in a targeted manner?
Adaptability as the key to success
Athletes know that standing still means falling behind. They perfect techniques, analyse opponents and constantly adapt their strategies. The ability to adapt to the environment and competition is essential in today's business world.
Digital transformation, disruptive innovations and artificial intelligence are changing markets faster than ever before. Top athletes are used to learning from failures, analysing them objectively and continuously improving. An agile mindset is a decisive advantage in today's business world. Companies that rely on data-driven strategies and remain flexible are more successful in the long term – just like athletes who measure their performance with numbers and use them to derive optimisations.
An active sporting career is limited in time. Those who embrace change and invest in their future early on lay the foundation for a successful second career. In addition to practical experience, academic qualifications and economic know-how are crucial for a smooth transition into the business world and long-term professional success.
Actively shaping the future
Standard training programmes often fall short when it comes to career changes for top athletes. They are usually not designed to take into account the specific challenges and needs of athletes. Although athletes bring valuable soft skills such as discipline, perseverance and team spirit to the table, the direct transition to management requires practical and targeted training that is specifically tailored to their situation.
Tailor-made training programmes with flexible learning formats and practical content offer a decisive advantage here, enabling athletes to strategically apply their unique skills and combine them with sound management knowledge. Discipline, strategic thinking and resilience – qualities they have perfected in their sporting careers – thus become the foundation for long-term success in the business world.
Would you like to learn more about tailor-made continuing education programmes for athletes?
TheExecutive Education programme at the University of Zurich's Faculty of Economics supports top Swiss athletes in expanding their economic knowledge. Together with the Athletes Network, founded by former national football player Benjamin Huggel and headed by Dave Heiniger, programmes are developed that optimally prepare athletes for their future in the business world. More information can be found on thewebsite.
Executive Education also offers numerous diploma programmes and compact courses that are not only of interest to athletes.Overview.
(Source for the data mentioned in the introduction: Schmid, M. J., Örencik, M., Schmid, J., & Conzelmann, A. (2022). Linking sports-related and socio-economic resources of retiring Olympic athletes to their subsequent vocational career. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 58(5), 809–828.)