How Elite Athletes' Training Can Transform Leadership Success

Boris Nannt, chairman of the Academy of German Cooperatives, has shared a structured approach to leadership inspired by elite athletes. He argues that effective leaders must move beyond sporadic efforts and adopt disciplined, consistent training—just like top sports professionals.

Nannt's method centres on dividing time into three key areas: preparation, execution, and review. He recommends using three distinct colours in a calendar to block out dedicated slots for each phase. This ensures a balanced focus rather than overemphasising execution at the expense of planning and reflection.

In practice, Nannt reserves his mornings for leadership tasks, such as preparation and strategic thinking, before his first meeting at 9 a.m. He stresses that leaders should not fall into the trap of acting like 'amateur athletes' who only show up occasionally. Instead, they must train regularly, not just when facing pressure. The approach mirrors how elite athletes operate, following a simple but rigorous triad of preparation, execution, and review. Nannt warns against the common mistake of prioritising execution alone, which often leads to inefficiency and a lack of accountability. True leadership, he argues, demands continuous effort—providing direction, driving results, and taking responsibility. He also highlights that leadership is not a one-time skill but a discipline requiring constant cultivation. Rather than trying to do everything themselves, leaders should focus on guiding others effectively through structured, consistent practice.

Nannt's system challenges the idea that leadership success comes from ad-hoc efforts or sheer volume of work. By adopting a structured, athlete-like mindset, leaders can improve efficiency and accountability. The method encourages regular training, clear time allocation, and a balanced focus on all stages of leadership—preparation, action, and reflection.