Here’s Why Women Who Play Sports Are More Successful

Here’s Why Women Who Play Sports Are More Successful

Seventy percent of US kids are dropping out of organized sports: What does this mean for the future of women execs?

I’ve been reading more about an alarming statistic where as many as 70% of children in the US are dropping out of organized sports before the age of 13. This is particularly important for women because recent studies show that girls who play sports are more likely to graduate from college, find a job and be employed in male-dominated industries.

EY research shows that among senior business women in the C-suite today, 94% of them played sports and over half played at a university level - suggesting a strong correlation between their success in sport and their success in business. Senior businesswomen are strong champions of sport and what sport did to equip them to become leaders. In fact, C-suite women are more likely to say that a candidate’s background in sport influences their hiring decision: 75% vs. 58% overall. They put a particular premium on female athletes because they know—very personally—about the work ethic and drive needed for women to get to the top.

Our research also confirms that:

  • The majority (52%) of C-suite women played sport at the university level, compared to 39% of women at other management levels.
  • C-suite women note that their competitiveness has been a bigger factor in their careers than more junior women: 37% cite this as a key factor, compared with 26% of others.

So to have girls dropping out of sport at an early age is not only an alarming statistic, it is a wake-up call for parents. Their girls could be walking away from something very important to their future success well beyond the game.

How my parents helped

The reasons for a high dropout rate from organized sports are probably as diverse as the children themselves – and the communities and families who are trying to support them. This has gotten me thinking a lot about my own experience as a young athlete and how my parents encouraged me to succeed. And how much that success has been a foundation for how I have approached my business career.

I was a four-sport athlete in high school in Indiana – basketball, softball, tennis and golf. A combo of team sports and individual sports to teach me different things. I loved softball – my true passion. But basketball was the Hoosier sport. And unlike softball, it was an intercollegiate sport when I entered Purdue.  So I played basketball in college and left the other three sports behind.
My parents never tried to get me to focus on just one sport. I certainly could have made that choice myself in high school had I wanted to. But I didn’t want to. I loved the variety. I only narrowed to one in college when, as a scholarship athlete, it was necessary.

My dad empowered me to play – he never discouraged me. He and Mom showed up to every game. They cared. And I loved having them there. I can’t imagine a world where they weren’t. But there was never an expectation. They just loved watching me play. And I loved them watching me play.

Dad and I would discuss the game after – but only if I wanted to. I would ask him questions, and he would answer. He was always fair. So if I made mistakes or didn’t give enough effort or whatever, he would tell me — but only if I asked. We would always talk about ways to do better. And he would work with me in our backyard. I think the core of his support was that he realized I didn’t need to be told I had made a mistake. I needed to understand how not to do it again. And he would help me with that.

There’s no doubt about it. What kept me going was my parents’ interest in what I wanted to pursue. Their interest was pure joy, not judgment or unfair criticism. They were all in because I was all in.

When I played, organized sports was still a bit novel for girls. But Mom and Dad supported everything I wanted to do, without worrying about how it might reflect on them. I was simply their daughter who played sports. When my friends quit playing, and dropped out to be “more like girls,” I kept going. And my parents went with me. I never wanted to stop, so I didn’t. And I know that the nonjudgmental, joyous support of my parents was a huge factor — not only in my success as an athlete, but also in my professional success today.

Sports: a first step to career success

I’m not alone in tracing my career back to my experience as a girl athlete. Last Friday, in the lead up to Super Bowl Sunday, I took part in a discussion at the NFL Women’s Summit with Claire Shipman, television journalist and co-author of The Confidence Code. Claire and I were among women leaders from business, government, sports and a variety of other fields taking part in what was an amazing exchange of ideas.

In Claire’s words:

“Something happens when girls play sports - they embody the experience of not just of winning, but the critical experience of losing. It’s that process of carrying on and clearing hurdles that really builds confidence. It’s an incredibly useful proving ground for business and leadership.” 

That “something” happened to me when I played the sports I chose. And it was the joyful, noncritical support I received from my parents that made possible everything that has come after.

Our EY research that shows the strong connection between sport and women’s leadership at the highest levels is a message to all parents. What sport can do for your daughter’s future is hugely important.

This blog originally appeared on Fortune.com

Elizabeth Venturini

Author of the book,"Tiger Mom Wisdom," Known as The College Career Strategist for Stressed-Out Parents

8y

The only REAL sport for women - equestrian. It takes guts and finesse to manage a 1500 pound animal.

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Elise James-DeCruise

Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer| Founder| AdTech Education Executive| Featured in Forbes| Keynote Speaker | Board Member | Career Coach |

8y

So True. Love this article! As a former collegiate student athlete who has made a successful transition from athletics into the corporate world. I found the research very interesting (and on target). There are so many transferable skills (several that were highlighted in the article) that carry over from athletics into life and into your professional career. I hope that we continue to elevate the conversation around mentoring, leadership, sports, business, women in sports and the technology that underpins it, in the hopes of connecting our next generation of female athletes to current and former athletes who are leaders in the corporate world. Awesome and inspiring piece. Keep up the great work Beth and Team!

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Courtney F.

Executive Search and Leadership Advisory Consultant at Spencer Stuart

8y

Great article. Love the advice.. "But there was never an expectation. They just loved watching me play. And I loved them watching me play." Perfectly said.

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Great job, Brooke...both on this article and your career!

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