Professional sports and entrepreneurship share striking similarities: both environments are highly competitive, and progress is far from linear. Success in both fields is achieved through small, continuous improvements and a relentless drive to adapt.
In partnership with SEF.Growth, we hosted an inspiring event at the state-of-the-art OYM sports complex in Cham. Entrepreneurs, board members, and investors gathered to explore how the agility precision and focus in sports can inspire better decision-making in business.
The event was kicked off by Christian Nauer, head of our Scaleup Desk and a former handball referee, who shared insights on becoming a decisive leader. He encouraged participants to “Train your intuition with tells!” Drawing inspiration from Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow, Christian explained that while our intuition is lightning-fast, it often relies on relating to past experiences to make decisions. To improve decision-making, leaders need to intentionally identify key “tells” – indicators that help evaluate if what they are doing is working. This approach allows the intuitive, fast-thinking part of our brain to become more effective in high-pressure situations.
👇 Watch Christian Nauer’s full keynote
Dan Tangnes, Headcoach of EV Zug, brought a similar message to the table, emphasizing that decisions within teams need a shared framework and culture. He echoed Christian’s advice about preparation being crucial: “80% of the work is done between the games,” he said. For Tangnes, the secret to success is empowering his players to make fast, confident decisions on the ice – because, in sports like hockey, there’s no time to micromanage.
The event concluded with a high-stakes decision-making panel featuring:
- Thomas Inhelder, CFO of Yokoy
- Nicole Herzog, business angel and startup board member
- Jonas Hiller, former NHL goalkeeper and current startup investor
From the power of “tells” in igniting teams to navigating startup dynamics, the panel offered invaluable insights into decision-making under pressure.
👇 Find some of their key statements in the following video
The event continued with a tour of OYM’s impressive facilities and the scientific foundations by HP Strebel, master mind and benefactor of OYM, before concluding with a flying dinner prepared by OYM’s very own nutrition team.
The amazement, wonder, and enthusiasm of the participants is hard to describe in words, but we tried to capture the sentiment in a short video.
Stay tuned for more!
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