Gen Alpha Girls Urged to Play Sports for Future CEO Success 94% of Women in C-Suite Were Athletes

Billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates has highlighted a surprising skill that Gen Alpha girls can develop in high school to enhance their chances of becoming a CEO. According to Gates, this skill is not coding or achieving straight A’s, but rather playing sports. Research supports her assertion, indicating that 94% of women in the C-suite were once athletes.

Gates shared her insights at the Power of Women’s Sports Summit. She emphasized that the common trait among women who reach the top executive positions is their involvement in sports. “The only correlation they can find of women in the C suite, the CEO spot, is that they all played sport—or the majority played sport,” she explained. Gates suggested that playing sports helps individuals learn to handle failure, a crucial skill for leadership roles. “You step out of bounds playing soccer, you go right back to it. You lose the tennis match sometimes. You learn to fail and that failing is okay.”

Tennis legend Billie Jean King, who was also present at the summit, echoed Gates’ sentiments. King noted that girls who play sports develop greater self-confidence, resilience, and perform better in subjects like math and science. She cited the example of Sally Ride, the first American woman astronaut, who was also a competitive tennis player. Ride attributed her success in part to her athletic background, stating that it helped her understand the male-dominated society better and communicate more effectively.

The benefits of playing sports extend beyond personal development. An extensive study of U.S. Ivy League alumni revealed that those who were heavily involved in sports during their youth went on to secure more senior positions and higher salaries than their peers who were more academically focused. This trend is particularly pronounced among women, with nearly all women in the C-suite having a background in athletics. The leadership qualities cultivated on the playing field, such as confidence, teamwork, discipline, time management, resilience, and a learning mindset, are precisely the skills needed in the boardroom.

Many successful CEOs have attributed their leadership skills to their athletic backgrounds. For instance, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy spent a significant amount of his school time playing various sports, while Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has spoken about how playing cricket shaped his leadership style. Nadella described cricket as a symphony where every player is a note, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and inspiration in leadership.

In conclusion, Melinda French Gates’ advice to Gen Alpha girls underscores the importance of sports in developing the skills necessary for future leadership roles. By participating in sports, young women can build the resilience, confidence, and teamwork skills that are crucial for success in the corporate world. This insight highlights the broader benefits of athletics beyond physical fitness, emphasizing their role in shaping future leaders.