There couldn’t have been a more perfect scenario for Derek Jeter on Saturday, July 9, against the Tampa Bay Rays. In the third inning on a full count, Jeter got his 3,000th hit on a 78 mile per hour slider, knocking the ball out of the park. But he wasn’t done yet. Jeter finished the game for the Yankees 5 for 5 with a game-winning hit.
I was on the edge of my seat on hit 2,999. I’ve witnessed lots of broken records and new milestones in sports throughout my life, but this one was special. Jeter has something more than just sheer athletic ability.
True star athletes have more than just physical talent. They possess the confidence and inner fire that pushes them to overachieve on the playing field or on the court. These leaders also have the ability to motivate and collaborate to drive their teams forward and win.
In fact, over the past five decades I’ve found that sports and business align in many ways. With Jeter’s recent accomplishment, it’s easy to see how a top-performing athlete and his team can be role models for others aspiring to that same level of greatness. Throughout Jeter’s career — his massive wins and some shortcomings — there are countless lessons that directly apply to the boardroom. keep reading…

