Girls Who Play Sports Become Women Who Lead
- reganejones
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
There’s something about lacing up cleats, stepping onto a court, or running onto a field that builds more than just muscle, it builds leaders. The connection between sports and leadership isn’t just anecdotal; it’s backed by decades of research and experience. Girls who grow up playing sports are more likely to become women who lead, with confidence, resilience, and a deep understanding of teamwork.
How My Dad, Coach Rick Jones, Set the Standard
My introduction to leadership didn’t start in a boardroom. It started on the sidelines, watching my dad coach. As a successful leader in sports, he taught me that real strength comes not from controlling the room, but from elevating the people in it.
He showed me the value of positive reinforcement, of saying “Great job, next time let’s try this” instead of tearing someone down. He taught me that building confidence was more effective than correcting every flaw. Most importantly, he taught me to surround myself with people whose strengths exceeded my own in certain areas, and to never feel threatened but inspired.
That philosophy has guided everything from creative collaborations to client pitches. Whether building a video production team or brainstorming a brand campaign, I know how powerful it is to embrace diverse talents and personalities and lead with trust.
The Stats Tell the Story
94% of women in C-suite positions played sports, and 52% played at the collegiate level.
85% of women in leadership roles say the skills they developed through sports were important to their success.
69% of women who played sports hold at least one formal leadership role outside the family, and 71% of those hold titles like manager, director, or executive.
These numbers aren’t a coincidence, but a reflection of how sports shape mindset, discipline, and the ability to lead under pressure.
Top Leadership Skills Gained Through Sports
1. Teamwork & Collaboration: Athletes learn early that success isn’t about being the star. It’s about playing your role and trusting others to do the same. In the workplace, this translates to understanding how to build teams where everyone’s strengths are valued.
2. Communication: Whether it’s calling a play or giving feedback mid-game, athletes develop clear, concise communication skills. Everyone is held accountable to their roles with vocalized precise goals and high standards.
3. Resilience & Grit: Losing a game, missing a shot, or getting benched teaches athletes how to bounce back. That same resilience helps women navigate setbacks in the boardroom with grace and determination.
4. Confidence & Self-Esteem: Sports build confidence not just in physical ability, but in decision-making and leadership. Women who’ve competed know how to trust their instincts and speak up, even in rooms where they’re the minority. Sports helped me believe in my voice and instincts which carried into my career behind the camera and beyond.
5. Strategic Thinking & Adaptability: Reading the field, anticipating moves, and adjusting in real time are all skills that transfer seamlessly to leadership in business.
From the Locker Room to the Boardroom
Team sports teach one of the most underrated leadership lessons: encouragement is more powerful than critique. In high-performing teams, feedback sounds like:
“You’ve got this, let’s tweak the approach, but your effort was spot on.”
This mindset fosters psychological safety, boosts morale, and builds trust whether you’re on a basketball court or in a marketing meeting. Everyone needs a “Good job, Jones”!
Athletes also learn that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Great leaders don’t expect everyone to be the same, they find where people fit and help them excel. That’s how winning teams are built.
And let’s not forget, having a fun personality doesn’t make you less serious.
Sports teach women how to lead with authenticity while bringing energy, humor, and humanity to their roles without compromising authority.
Women Who’ve Lived It
Serena Williams: Her dominance on the court translated into business ventures, fashion, and venture capital leadership.
Mia Hamm: A soccer icon who co-founded Team First Soccer Academy and serves on multiple boards.
Kelli Masters: One of the first female NFL agents, who credits her sports background for her resilience and negotiation skills.
Lorrissa Horton: CEO of SumerSports, who says her early sports experiences taught her how to build winning teams and strategies.
Bottom line? Sports don’t just build athletes, they build leaders. And the more we invest in girls’ athletics, the more we invest in the future of leadership.
About Regan Jones
Regan Jones is the lead Athletics Videographer for Missouri State University, where she captures the energy and emotion of over 19 NCAA sports. As the founder of My Charmed Productions, she brings a cinematic edge to team branding, athlete storytelling, and sports media strategy. Her passion for the lens began in second grade with a camcorder and a cast of siblings, crafting music videos and backyard plays. By eighth grade, she was creating hype videos for the Greenwood Bulldogs Championship Football teams—and she hasn’t looked back since.
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