Have you noticed how few talk about excellence at work? Maybe because it takes an estimated 10,000 hours in skill development.

Wherever one looks, there are examples of excellence to be found, but often in the hands-on skills rather than in management; so in service, cooking, in produce, in wines, coffee and tea.

It is said that to achieve excellence in a discipline takes 10,000 hours of training and development in that discipline. 1,250 working days or 3.5 years. It is what one sees a doctor, a lawyer, an accountant, a sports player or an artist often investing. Why not expect the same from leaders and top managers too?

Do we invest enough into the development of senior players? The answer is probably not, as many L&D budgets have declined over the years? Many do believe it is a cost which companies can not invest in as the pressures are on results. However, the counter is that expertise and knowledge are invaluable in leading teams through troubled waters; that it pays for itself many times over.

It has long been a central debate but is becoming more so now as there is a growing concern that many middle to senior executives do not possess the levels of knowledge that their equivalents possessed in the days pre-internet. It has become too easy to find knowledge at the tip of one’s hand and it has made knowledge less of value. However, of course, knowledge alone is not enough but how to translate it into action.

It is one of the core arguments as to why investors have appointed proven, experienced executives over younger talents; one of the arguments for why the average age of a CEO has increased year on year.

However, there is no evidence that age and experience lead to better leadership. It is just a safer bet.

So here lies the question: should companies invest more into the development of their leaders? The 10,000 hours is misleading as often that is learnt whilst in roles. So should more be invested once again?

Sports players today are better than ever. They are fitter, stronger, better coached, and better managed. The results for UK teams have improved; in the Olympics, in the World Cup, in Rugby, in Cricket. It is one of the greatest ever sporting generations.

Can the business take a lesson?