What can business learn from sport? Perhaps Emotional Intelligence is first on the list.

Over the last five years, EP has promoted the value of learnings from the world of sport. Top sports figures have also held a motivational appeal and played to the often “alpha” ethos of business. However, our focus has always been on learning how the mental approach to competition, teams, friendships, values, success and importantly failure, can be transferred across to leadership in business. In simplistic terms, the lessons to take from sport have always been easy:

· Managing Stress and Goal-Setting. The ability to manage stress and to stay calm under pressure.

· Perseverance and Resilience

· Determination and Commitment.

· Hope and Positivity

These clearly have their value, but where sports have really progressed is their learning on emotional intelligence and placing aside the often alpha behaviours which too often are dominant in business. There has been a proven link between higher levels of emotional intelligence leading to stronger sports performance.

The traditional and often expected rivalry which sport has historically been renowned for has, in recent times, been replaced with a less alpha attitude and far kinder and respect filled behaviours. Just last week, acts of kindness and compassion in sport were on show for the world to see, and hopefully learn from. In the Italy v Wales game in the Six Nations Championship, Edoardo Padovani scored a try in the final two minutes to complete the comeback and give the Italians their first Six Nations win since 2015. The upset ended a 36-match losing streak.

Josh Adams of Wales was named Player of the Match despite the loss due to the fact that the award voting is conducted before the end of the match and before Italy had finished its comeback.

In an incredible display of sportsmanship, Adams approached Italy's Ange Capuozzo after the match and handed him the medal as Capuozzo had set up the winning score for Italy after which both players embraced and showed what true sportsmanship and respect is really about.

The other key piece has been about collective learning. Sports players learn from defeat and setbacks. In business, the fear of failure has been too dominant as has the narrative which surrounds those who are seen to have failed.

As we developed the discussions, there have been many CEOs and MDs who have enjoyed the discussions and can see the potential. Their question, though, in return is that the barrier is how to adjust a whole structure to take on something so radical. It is just too big a jump.

This is where the conversation has evolved. Maybe it does not start with business but starts earlier, in schools and universities, to help prepare young talent, young leaders both emotionally and in their mind-set as they start to climb the work and life ladder. Maybe there is scope for an “academy” which takes potential young leaders and brings them into contact with top sports players as mentors to help them develop their mental, emotional and behavioural skills in advance of careers?

It is a fair question but it also applies to all starting out across work places and still applies to many young leaders who feel they are struggling mentally to cope. It is a clear concern when over 80% of leaders are concerned about failure and feel this hindering performance. Once again, creating space to learn from top people in another profession can only be of value.

Our argument has long been that L&D needs to change, that not enough emphasis has been placed on Emotional Intelligence, on handling stress and pressure, on understanding and accepting failure. Such an academy can only potentially help many young leaders be prepared for and excel in the future.