Trust, Timing, Teamwork: Life Lessons from the Tennis Court
The first time I looked at tennis with new eyes was after hearing Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now (which I highly recommend), say that he enjoys watching tennis because it requires complete presence. That idea struck me.
So I started to watch—and he was absolutely right.
To play tennis—especially at a high level—you need to be fully present, intensely alert, and ready to respond to a ball that may be flying at 100+ mph. Many sports demand presence, but tennis offered a specific insight—especially during this year’s Wimbledon, which I had the joy of attending.
Watching a men’s doubles match, I reflected not just on the skill involved, but on what the game can teach us about personal and professional development. As someone who breathes learning into everything I do, I started connecting the dots between what I saw on the court and what we often experience in the workplace.
Here are some key takeaways:
Trust and Positive Reinforcement Over Blame
In doubles, you must trust that your partner will do their best at the moment. When mistakes happen, and they will, there’s no room for blame. Instead, partners offer support, encouragement, and quickly move on.
At work, the same applies: as a leader, you need to trust your team. Without trust, there’s no space for delegation or growth. When things go wrong, it’s far more effective to focus on learning and improving together than to point fingers.
Communication Is Everything
Whether it’s a quick nod, hand gesture, or a whispered strategy, doubles players rely on constant communication. Alignment and clarity make the difference between winning and falling apart under pressure.
In business, the lesson is clear: communicate proactively—verbally and nonverbally. Confirm alignment, share feedback, and speak from a team perspective rather than an individual one.
(Yes, that also means checking your ego at the door.)
Adaptability
Successful teams adjust strategy point by point. They read each situation: opponents, weather, rhythm and adapt together.
In the workplace, the ability to remain aligned while staying flexible is critical. Projects change, people change, and conditions shift. Adaptability isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.
Complementary Strengths
In a strong doubles team, one player might dominate at the net, while the other thrives at the baseline. They complement one another.
That’s the magic of teamwork. In professional environments, diverse strengths and perspectives lead to better outcomes. Knowing and valuing each person’s contribution allows teams to excel. This is why diversity is not optional; it’s foundational.
Focus on the Present Moment
Missed a point? It happens. But you don’t have time to dwell on it. The next serve is already coming your way.
This lesson is gold: let go of the last mistake, learn what you can, and focus on what you can do better now. We can all benefit from learning how to reset mentally—whether after a missed deadline or a tough conversation.
Final Thought
I invite you to adopt a learning mindset—in tennis, at work, and in life.
Instead of blaming yourself, a colleague, or a partner, pause and ask:
“What can I learn from this?”
With time, this mindset becomes second nature. Learn from the moments that go wrong (what can I do differently next time?) and also from the ones that go well (what worked, and how can I repeat it?).
Because in the end, the best way to keep your future more interesting than your past is learning.
