So many of the traits and practices of the best sports teams translate into wisdom for business leaders. We found twelve inspirational sports quotes that are true about business, too.
12 Motivational Sports Quotes that Can Help Business Leaders Improve their Game
When it comes to business leadership, some of the best practices are epitomized by successful sports teams and players. We found twelve sports quotes business leaders can use to step up their game.
“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” Babe Ruth
In baseball, hitters are considered really good if they only get on base three times out of every ten attempts. Don’t be discouraged by an occasional strike out; learn from it and know better what to expect on your next time up to bat.
“It’s not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.” Bear Bryant
Name any great team or athlete, and you name people that understood that most of what goes into a win happens off the field, long before a ball is snapped, pitched or tipped.
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Michael Jordan
Arguably one of (if not the) greatest basketball players of all time, take a closer look at Michael Jordan’s life and you will find someone who was more afraid of what he would regret missing out on than he was afraid of failing at. You won’t know what you can do until you try!
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky
You can’t win if you don’t play.
“Think training’s hard? Try losing.” Nike Ad Slogan
Preparation separates the best from the rest. The ‘sore muscles’ and self-discipline that go along with training are preferable – by far – to the pain of losing.
“You wouldn’t have won if we’d beaten you.” Yogi Berra
Sounds obvious, doesn’t it? As you work to improve your own game as a business leader, remember that you need to keep an eye on the competition.
“Football is nothing without fans.” Jack Stein
Great brands become great not through marketing, advertising, selling or other activities. Great brands become great because they earn fans.
“Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference.” John Wooden
This coach was known to care as much or more about character as he was the game. Whether dealing with customers or co-workers, it’s important to remember that you are dealing with individuals, not organizations.
“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” Babe Ruth
The Great Bambino knew a thing or two about winning. If you haven’t given up, that means you’re still in the game!
“Coaches who can outline plays on a blackboard are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate.” Vince Lombardi
Perhaps there is no one more qualified to speak on what it takes to be a winning leader than Vince Lombardi, for whom the NFL’s greatest honor – the Super Bowl trophy – is named. Great leaders aren’t great because they’re smart or talented; they’re great because – and to the extent which – they get followed.

If you aren’t at least a little afraid of your dreams, you aren’t dreaming big enough. Your professional goals – and the mission and vision of your business – should be hard enough to reach that accomplishing them changes the world in some way.

Last but not least, we can’t say it better than this: “Champions aren’t made in the gym. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision.” Muhammad Ali
You might also like: 4 Ways to Become the Business Leader You Always Wanted Yourself – Infographic
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