As someone who spent years immersed in the world of gymnastics, first as a gymnast, then as a coach, I’ve seen first hand what it takes to consistently show up, stretch beyond your comfort zone, and stick the landing under pressure.
Fast forward to today, and I’m coaching in a different arena, the business world. But the principles haven’t changed all that much. Whether you’re balancing on a beam or managing a boardroom, the same themes show up again and again: focus, consistency, individual excellence, and the ability to perform as part of a team.
Watching Team GB’s recent success at the European Gymnastics Championships reminded me just how much the sport continues to inspire my coaching, consulting, and help businesses grow.
So here’s a little reflection, and a practical guide, on what business leaders, teams, and aspiring high performers can learn from gymnastics.
Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect, It Makes Consistency
You don’t start with a double-twisting Yurchenko. You start with a forward roll.....
That's a sentence I never thought I'd write in a business related blog!
In gymnastics, consistent repetition of foundational skills is what gets you to the wow moments. Business is no different. You can’t shortcut your way to high performance, whether it's selling, hiring, leading, or scaling. The teams and individuals who succeed are the ones who commit to the basics, refine the details, and practise with intent.
Business tip: Just like the gymnastics coach, build rituals and routines that strengthen foundations, whether that’s regular feedback, structured reflection, or coaching check-ins.
Coaching That Builds Independence
In the gym, the best coaches don’t just shout instructions – they help athletes think, reflect, and find their own edge.
That’s no coincidence, the GROW coaching model actually originated in sport. Developed by Sir John Whitmore and his colleagues to improve athletic performance, it later became the bedrock of business coaching. It’s simple but powerful: Goal, Reality, Options, Will. The model helps people reflect, explore, and take ownership of their progress.
Thanks to champions like Carol Wilson, GROW has been used across the globe to shift leadership cultures from “command and control” to coach-like conversations.
Want to go deeper? Whitmore’s “Coaching for Performance” is a classic – and still one of the most practical reads for leaders who want to build a coaching culture.
Business tip: If you want a team that performs under pressure and adapts with agility, give them the coaching skills to reflect and self-direct, not just follow orders.
Emotional Intelligence Is the New Competitive Advantage.
In gymnastics, emotional control is everything. Lose your nerve, and even the most trained athlete can fall.
Just look at Simone Biles , widely considered the greatest gymnast of all time. At the Tokyo Olympics, she pulled out mid-competition due to a mental block known as the twisties – where your brain and body disconnect mid-air. It was a moment of global attention, and more importantly, a masterclass in self-awareness, courage, and emotional control. She chose wellbeing and long-term safety over pushing through at all costs.
But here’s the real story: she came back.
Not just physically but mentally, emotionally, and professionally. Simone invested in therapy, leaned on her support system, reconnected with her values, and rebuilt trust in herself.
And in 2023, she returned to competition stronger than ever, becoming the most decorated gymnast in history and securing her place on the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Now that’s emotional intelligence in action: self-awareness, self-regulation, resilience, and belief in your long-term potential, even when things go off course.
Business has its version of the twisties too.
You might not be flying through the air, but the fog before a funding pitch, the burnout before a big project delivery, or the pressure of leading a team through change can knock your confidence and clarity just the same.
This is where EQ is game-changing.
I use the Emotional Capital Report (ECR), a practical, evidence-based tool that helps individuals and teams develop the emotional strengths that matter most: self-awareness, self-control, adaptability, empathy, optimism and more.
Business tip: Want to build a team that doesn’t just cope but comes back stronger? Start with EQ. You’ll create people who can handle the spotlight, bounce back from setbacks, and support others when it matters most.
Final Thoughts.... Stick the Landing!
So what can you take from this?
Treat performance as both individual and collective.
Invest in coaching, not just managing.
Don’t underestimate the power of repetition and reflection.
And above all, never stop building emotional muscle.
In gymnastics, you win with style, strength, and stickability. In business, it's the same. And if you're wobbling on the beam some days, just remember: it’s not about never falling, it’s about getting back up with a bit more self-awareness each time.
Ready to Create a High Performing Coaching Culture?
If you’re curious about how Emotional Intelligence tools like the ECR can help you coach, lead or hire with impact, let’s chat. I’ve got tools for individuals, teams, and organisations – and I promise, no leotards required.
About Me
I’m the founder of Pivotal Partnerships, where I bring together emotionally intelligent coaching, strategic people consultancy, and sharp recruitment insight to help businesses get the people stuff right. Through my brands Pivotal Coaching and Pivotal Recruit, I work with founders, leaders, and teams across the UK.
I’m an accredited coach with the Association for Coaching, an Emotional Intelligence Practitioner with RocheMartin, and a Fellow of the REC, with over 20 years’ experience in recruitment, performance, and people development.
These days, I focus on consultancy and strategy across people, performance, and growth – always with emotional intelligence at the heart. If you want a down-to-earth partner who’ll challenge your thinking, bring clarity, and deliver practical solutions that stick – I’m your person.
I work flexibly – whether you need a sounding board, a short-term project lead, or fractional support as part of your team..
Share this post: