The world of tennis cannot be complete without mentioning Roger Federer. This professional player from Switzerland is an undisputed legend of the game. He has amassed a record-making total of 20 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, a record shared only with Rafael Nadal. He is so good that for almost one year, he reigned supreme as number one in the world. He dominated the space, and his impact will remain for a long time.
But Federer is not just about sports alone, he is also a leader per excellence. Those who have studied him have concluded that there is a lot to learn from Federer as far as leadership is concerned. This is a piece that focuses on seven leadership lessons from him.
1. Preparation
When one watches Federer in action, it is hard not to admire the ease with he moves on the court or how he does his majestic serves, one may not realize how much preparation he puts into it. He has said that he uses hours to work on his body and fitness regimen before performing. A great champion makes an excellent leader, but one must prepare very well.
The training program of Federer is so rigorous that it has been studied for more than 10 years by experts from various parts of the globe. Federer is trained by the legendary Pierre Paganini. Physical and mental endurance are features of excellent leadership.
2. Passion
If you listen to Federer in an interview, you will instantly notice how his eyes light up when he is talking about tennis. He is deeply passionate about the sport and that zeal is unmistakable. A true leader has an excessive dose of passion to pursue every noble goal. Leaders are not lackadaisical and Federer exemplifies this.
3. Courage
Federer makes it clear that life will come with a lot of challenges but that is not the problem but how the challenges are handled. In 2016 when he decided to withdraw from the US Open, some assumed that was the end of his career. For years, it truly looked promising, but he kept facing a string of losses only for him to bounce back spectacularly in 2017.
4. Humility
Arrogance is not the feature of a good leader. Humility is one of the most beloved traits of Federer and it explains why he has so many fans in various parts of the globe in the millions. Even when he loses during the tournaments, he is always kind and gracious to his opponents. In moments of victory, he is also very mature with the whole thing.
5. Mental Strength
Federer said that it is not just about physical strength but also mental endurance. There are moments in life when a leader will have to summon all the mental powers possible to forge ahead. A leader must remain positive always and must manage to remain calm even under the tensest periods. That explains why Federer seems to never be under pressure or even play without emotions. His mental strength is an outstanding feature of leadership.
6. Resilience
Good leaders know that challenges will appear but what they do is to turn such challenges into opportunities. Roger Federer is a professional tennis player, and he understands this more than many. There are instances when his entire career was threatened but he always managed to remain clear-minded and bounced back. When challenges came in 2016 and he was almost knocked off totally in 2016, he managed to turn things around and won in 2017 at the Australian Open when he faced Rafael Nadal in that unforgettable five-set tournament.
7. Concentration
Federer is always focusing on the strengths in himself, so he never bothers to copy or imitate anyone. That explains why he is such a unique player, and this is a lesson for everyone. If you happen to be a manager or team leader, you will be faced with scenarios that will demand that you exhibit confidence and never get scared of failure.
