Following a five-set loss to competitor Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round of the Australian Open, Andy Murray told the Melbourne crowd “Maybe I’ll see you again.”
Its been just four days since the emotional press conference in which Andy Murray revealed the Australian Open could likely be his last ever tennis event. Whilst the reveal was controversial and doubts about the future of British tennis were the talk of tabloids and sports writers alike, there’s no doubt that he has led a tenacious career and demonstrated a wealth of mental toughness throughout his 13-years in the sport.
There are obvious parallels to draw between the world of sport and being in the boardroom. In both professions the need to perform at the highest level under extreme pressure and having the right balance of commitment, humility and perseverance to overcome any failures are vital.
There are a number of well-known sportspeople who’ve chosen to make the transition to a boardroom career. Ex Tottenham Hotspur coach Les Ferdinand and Reading Striker Jason Roberts both took on the position of Boardroom Director, whilst Haile Gebrselassie, double Olympic gold medalist is now the Chairman of a leading property business.
With all the skills Andy has honed in his career, we’ve listed four reasons why a career in the boardroom could be a suitable next move.
As a board member, you should be abundantly clear about the commitments which are expected of you, especially as you have the same liability as a full-time director. Andy is undoubtedly a master at understanding and managing others expectations. Saying himself that “I’m going to focus on the process of playing good tennis rather than setting targets of victories or results.” Under the high-pressure demands of Wimbledon and the Olympics, Andy held a considerable weight of others expectations on his shoulders, with not only his coaches and family watching on but the entire country too. His ability to keep a cool head and remain composed under pressure was vital to ensuring his success. Likewise, as a Non-Executive Director, your outside expertise is relied upon by businesses that need your help and you need to be able to deliver on what is expected of you.
As an athlete, Andy is no stranger to being evaluated and receiving different peoples opinions on his performance. For most people, constructive feedback can be tough to hear, but it always helps you to improve – whether you’re on the courts or in the boardroom. Knowing how to receive feedback from others and how to respond objectively is a highly valuable skill one can take into the boardroom. Andy has experienced some incredible highs in his career but has also at times been defeated. Being able to deal with failures and difficult scenarios as an independent board director is very important.
The average day for a high profile athlete is challenging. As well as handling demanding training sessions, there’s the demand of Murray’s celebrity status and family commitments. Whilst a portfolio career will have its demands, such as attending a number of board meetings throughout the year, it’s also a flexible career choice for anyone looking to balance work with personal commitments.
With a combination of personalities and voices in the boardroom, a successful board member needs to be willing to voice their opinion with confidence. Being both in the public eye and working alongside coaches has required Andy to speak up. Whether it be communicating with a coach or confronting a journalist. Andy will now be used to handling difficult questions and opposing opinions in a calm composed manner. In the boardroom, it is vital that members have composure and are willing to consider differing opinions and debate in a constructive and beneficial manner.
Looking to embark on a portfolio career, In Touch s the perfect place to help you make the transition with confidence. Click here to learn more about our various memberships: https://intouchnetworks.com/memberships
