Navigating from high level sport to business

0
230

Navigating from high level sport to business. In this episode Judith Germain speaks to Kasia Siwosz about the overlap between high-level sports and business.

You can listen to Episode 444 on any of the popular podcast platforms or apps (including Spotify, and Audible). If you prefer to listen to your browser you can do that below. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways

  • Kasia’s journey from professional tennis player to entrepreneur and coach, highlighting transferable skills
  • The importance of grit, hard work, and pushing one’s comfort zone for high performance
  • Building a supportive team/environment is crucial for sustained success at the highest levels

Topics

Introduction and Background

  • Kasia grew up in post-communist Poland, where sports provided opportunities to travel
  • Quickly excelled in tennis, competing internationally and reaching top 400-700 in rankings
  • Transitioned to college tennis in the US on scholarship, then investment banking and entrepreneurship

Overlap Between Sports and Business

  • Mindset is key – being open to feedback on weaknesses as areas for improvement, not taking it personally
  • Grit and hard work are essential, but need to be balanced with strategy and self-awareness
  • Athletes learn to constantly push their comfort zones in training to expand their limits

Importance of Support System

  • At the highest levels, the journey can feel lonely – having a strong support network is vital
  • In sports and business, top performers set the standards and create an uplifting environment
  • Seeing elite performers motivates others to strive higher, even if not reaching the pinnacle

Finding Joy in the Process

  • While training/work itself may not always be enjoyable, celebrating small wins keeps one motivated
  • Balancing the grind with an appreciation for successful outcomes prevents burnout

In this conversation Kasia describes how she eventually had to stop playing professional tennis due to the high costs, and instead pursued an education in the US on a scholarship. She then tried to break into investment banking, first in the US and then in London, where she met her husband. Kasia also started a restaurant business for a few years before moving into venture capital.

Kasia work exclusively with hustlers. People who are already in the top 1% or are on their way there. My clients are like elite athletes in their respective fields who hate to lose and refuse to accept mediocrity. Nothing about them is ordinary.

Kasia Siwosz can be found on LinkedIn here. Her website can be found here.

How Influential Are you? Take the scorecard at amplifyyourinfluence.scoreapp.com and see. 


Maverick leadership is all about thinking outside the box and challenging the status quo. It’s about having the courage to take risks and the confidence to lead in a way that is authentic and genuine.

But amplifying your influence as a leader isn’t just about having a strong vision or a big personality. It’s also about having the right leadership capability and being able to execute on your ideas and plans.

The consequences of not having the right level of influence as a leader can be significant. Without the ability to inspire and motivate others, you may struggle to achieve your goals and make a real impact.

Previous articleNavigating high stakes leadership
Next articleWhen the Road Lacked Grit, I Didn’t!
Editor
Maverick Paradox Media is for the pathologically curious who seek to learn from lateral thinkers, including how to execute maverick thinking. We provide a Maverick perspective on the world arounds us. ๐Ÿ’ข I am the leading authority on ๐— ๐—ฎ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ธ ๐—Ÿ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐—ต๐—ถ๐—ฝ and Founder of Maverick Paradox Media. It is because I am passionate about demonstrating that Maverick Leadership exists everywhere and understand that we can all learn from diverse and differing voices that I founded Maverick Paradox Media. Maverick Paradox reaches thousands of leaders and business owners, empowering and inspiring them to think differently, challenge often and increase their leadership capability. ๐Ÿ’ข Maverick Paradox Media consists of: โœ… The Maverick Paradox Podcast (on all popular podcast platforms/apps โ€“ available episodes here: https://www.maverickparadox.co.uk/maverick-paradox-podcast-available-episodes/) โœ… The Maverick Paradox Magazine I also write for The Maverick Paradox Magazine and you can find those articles under my name Judith Germain.