Harvard Business Review LogoKyle EllingsonBusiness leaders routinely make important decisions under pressure, often with incomplete or conflicting information, in ways that significantly impact team and organizational performance—as well as their own careers. Elite sports coaches do the same, with two critical factors increasing the stakes: a compressed time frame (they often must call plays in just seconds) and constant public exposure (including live TV coverage and 24/7 criticism from fans and the media).
How Elite Sports Coaches Make High-Pressure Decisions
Drawing on interviews with 11 elite coaches across major U.S., European, Australian, and New Zealand professional sports leagues, the authors show that high-pressure decisions aren’t a single “formula” but a set of practices that unfold before, during, and after pivotal moments—and translate directly to business leadership. Top coaches combine disciplined preparation with emotional control and social awareness during crunch time and accountability and continual system improvement after the fact.
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