Why business leaders should train like elite athletes, according to an expert

Boris Nannt, chairman of the Academy of German Cooperatives, has urged business leaders to adopt strategies used by elite athletes. He argues that effective leadership requires more than just experience and instinct. Instead, executives should focus on structured preparation, execution, and review—just as top sportspeople do.

Nannt highlights that many leaders rely too heavily on intuition and past experience. This approach often leads to an overemphasis on execution, with little time left for planning or reflection. He warns that constant sprinting without a clear strategy rarely delivers strong results.

Elite athletes, in contrast, follow a simple but disciplined triad: preparation, execution, and review. Nannt recommends applying the same method in leadership. To make this practical, he suggests using a colour-coded calendar to balance time across these three areas. Another key piece of advice is to delay the first meeting of the day until after 9 a.m. This allows leaders to use the morning for focused preparation and strategic thinking. Nannt also stresses that leaders should train regularly, not just under pressure, to maintain high performance. Rather than trying to do everything themselves, they should guide their teams effectively through clear direction and accountability.

The approach encourages leaders to move away from reactive decision-making. By adopting structured training and reflection, they can improve long-term performance. Nannt's method aims to create a more balanced and sustainable way of leading.