How can we fix leadership pipelines? Invest in women’s sports. Data shows that investment in women’s sports creates a powerful yet under-appreciated talent pipeline, building future leaders, driving high-performing teams and helping to close the gender gap. But girls leave sports too early and elite women's sports faces chronic under investment. Deloitte US Chair Lara Abrash shares insights from the firm’s research on women’s sports – both the billion-dollar economic opportunity it represents, the challenges the sector faces, and the unsung way sports strengthens the leadership talent pipeline.
Abrash, active in a range of sports since her youth, will also break down the leadership skills, mindsets, and team dynamics sports uniquely cultivates. She’ll share the personal experiences that shaped how she leads and the way she approaches talent and capability. Her personal lessons learned can help anyone understand what’s needed to develop future leaders, improve team performance and build talent pipelines that last.
Key Insights:
Women's sports is growing rapidly - but remains an untapped sector and opportunity for economies and communities.
Sports teaches girls how to team - but a range of factors make them more likely to drop out of sports than boys.
Great leaders are great coaches. Abrash reminds us that "Managers manage outcomes while leaders lead people."
Practice makes progress: Leaders who can learn quickly from mistakes will adapt faster -- key for a fast-paced AI era
Sidestep the 'superwoman' myth: Sports shows we often accomplish more in groups. Women who admit they are less effective alone take the first step to building great teams and avoiding burnout.
