It seems the nation is revelling in sporting heaven at the moment. As we write this, England are still flying high in the Euro's, and Wimbledon continues to dazzle, introducing us to a possible new prodigy in Emma Raducanu.

However, sport doesn't just supply endless hours of entertainment (and at sometimes heartache!); as Business leaders we can also learn from it as well.

It is often cited that the best team leaders are highly skilled in self-analysis, emotional control, and maintaining mental clarity. These attributes all increase their ability to evaluate, comprehend and deal with specific situations, adopting managerial or coaching behaviours accordingly. These attributes are also found in high performance sports men and women.

In recent years, perhaps due in part to a growing awareness that sports leadership is actually much more sophisticated than many give credit for, many business leaders are turning to sports leadership to hone and improve their own skills and develop their teams. As a result a growing number of high performance sportsmen and women, and coaches, have begun to cross the sports-business divide and offer their insights and advice elsewhere.

Here in Team Lincolnshire we are lucky to have one of the best in the game supporting, mentoring and advancing a host of companies across our region and beyond.

Wingman Ltd, founded by ex-England Rugby star and former RAF pilot Rory Underwood, supports businesses in dealing with or planning for growth by showing them how to build the sustainable, high performance environment required to deliver their goals and release the full potential of their people. Wingman champions the importance of teams and effective leadership in helping businesses achieve their goals, by adopting the same mental attributes, attitude and approach professional sports teams need to adopt if they are to achieve success.

The Lincolnshire based performance consultancy has been built on the high performance experience of Rory Underwood.  Based on his 35+ years of experience across elite sport, the military and business, Rory and his team have a unique understanding of what great teams can achieve and what it takes to build environments where that success, and the team’s ability to perform under pressure, is the norm.

Wingman's expertise is perfect for businesses adapting to the challenges associated with the next stage of growth. It provides tailored development programmes for the individual, team or entire organisation, whether you’re a small, medium or large organisation looking for a development programme or a change programme. The Wingman team can also provide excellent practical and supportive advice for teams experiencing transitional challenges. This is particularly apt in today's climate as we ease out of lockdown; teams that have been somewhat fragmented by working from home for an extended period of time, are asked to go back to the office. Wingman can support your business through this.

So as you cheer your favourite team or sports star over the next few months, perhaps it would be prudent to look at your own teams and your own leadership skills and see what you can learn from such Elite professionals? As Rory explains:

"As a team we’ve often found that businesses assume that teamwork will just happen.  The truth is, the journey to get everyone to work together is far more challenging.  In the elite sport and the military they spend 90% of the time training and 10% doing.  In business it’s usually the other way around.  But, with Wingman’s know-how, support and guidance you’ll be able to release the full potential of your individuals, teams and ultimately empower the whole organisation.  The result being, you’ll be more effective and will have reduced the drag in your business’s performance, meaning that success will come far more easily in the future.

"Relationships are really important to us and our approach epitomises the team ethos.  We’ll partner with you, get to really understand the challenges you face and what makes your business tick.  We’ll equip you with all the tailored tools and solutions needed to build your own, sustainable high-performance environment and be there to support you every step of the way."

Sports teams often improve their performance for a few matches after a new manager has been appointed. If this man proves no better than his sacked predecessor, the side will quickly revert to type as players who had tried briefly to impress the new boss begin to backslide. So be more Gareth! Or in Lincolnshire's case 'More Rory'!

For more information contact Rory via enquiries@wingmanltd.com or visit www.wingmanltd.com