As someone who has spent countless hours on a mountain bike, navigating rough terrains and steep climbs, I’ve come to appreciate how much sports have shaped me—not just as an athlete, but as a leader. It’s no surprise that a significant number of women in the C-suite also excel in sports. The discipline, resilience, and teamwork that sports demand translate seamlessly into the skills needed to lead effectively in business.
In mountain biking, as in business, discipline is everything. You have to train consistently, even when you don’t feel like it. You have to push through the fatigue and the self-doubt, knowing that the effort you put in today will pay off down the line. This same discipline is crucial in leadership.
Running Hodari Africa, a project management and development management company, requires the same commitment and perseverance. Challenges arise—whether it’s a tough negotiation or an unexpected project hurdle—but the ability to push through, stay focused, and keep moving forward is what separates great leaders from the rest.
Resilience is another lesson sports teach us. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of falling off your bike, dusting yourself off, and getting back on. It’s a lesson in humility and perseverance that has served me well in the boardroom. Every business has its setbacks, but what matters is how you respond. Sports teach you to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, a mindset that is invaluable in leadership.
Mountain biking may seem like a solo sport, but it’s not. Whether you’re riding with a group or relying on a support team, you quickly learn the importance of teamwork. Collaboration, communication, and trust are just as important on the trail as they are in the office. At Hodari, I lead a team that is mostly women. We thrive on collaboration and the collective strength of our diverse experiences and perspectives. Sports have taught me how to harness that collective power, ensuring that everyone on the team feels valued and empowered to contribute.
Strategic thinking is another skill honed through sports. When you’re out on the trail, you have to think several steps ahead—anticipating obstacles, planning your route, and adapting to changing conditions. This is the same mindset I bring to my role as CEO. Leading a company requires strategic foresight, the ability to navigate uncertainty, and the agility to adjust plans as circumstances evolve.
One of the most significant benefits of sports is the confidence it builds. There’s a unique sense of accomplishment that comes from setting a goal, working towards it, and achieving it—whether it’s summiting a mountain or closing a major deal. That confidence translates into leadership presence. People can sense when a leader believes in themselves and their vision, and that belief is contagious. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, the confidence I’ve gained through sports has been invaluable. It has empowered me to lead with authority, to speak up, and to push for the change I want to see in the industry.
It’s no coincidence that so many women in the C-suite have a background in sports. According to a study by Ernst & Young, 94% of women holding C-suite positions played sports, and over half played at the university level. These statistics underscore the profound impact sports can have on leadership development. The qualities that make a great athlete—resilience, teamwork, strategic thinking, and confidence—are the very same qualities that make a great leader.
For me, the trails have been an incredible training ground for leadership. The lessons I’ve learned through mountain biking have shaped not just how I lead, but who I am as a leader. At Hodari Africa, I’m proud to bring those lessons into the boardroom, leading a team of exceptional women who are breaking barriers in the construction industry. So, whether you’re on the trail or in the boardroom, remember: the skills you’re building today are the foundation of the leader you’ll become tomorrow.
Keep pushing, keep striving, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself.
– Mikayla Benkenstein, CEO at Hodari Africa
