I recently spent a week on the Ayrshire coast recharging, and catching up with coaches from City of Glasgow Gymnastics as they prepared their para-gymnastics squad for competition. Watching them work reminded me how much elite sport has to teach us about leadership and business growth.
Before coaches can make an impact, two things must be true:
- Athletes must be passionate about their sport.
- They must accept the cost — hours of training, repetition, and sacrifice.
It’s the same in business. When your people are motivated and committed, you have an asset worth investing in. But investment isn’t about moulding everyone into the same performer, it’s about helping individuals reach their own full potential. That’s where the “percentage game” comes in.
The Performance Workflow
The coaches’ model can be translated directly into a business context:
- Confirm Desire – Ensure your team members are genuinely committed to growth.
- Agree the Cost – Clarify the effort and resources required.
- Design the Routine – Stretch their ability by around 10%.
- Deliver the Routine – Provide structure, tools, and guidance.
- Practice, Coach, Improve – Encourage consistent 1% improvements.
- Perfect the Routine – Work until progress plateaus.
- Revise the Routine – Raise the bar by another 10% and repeat.
This simple, repeatable cycle creates sustained improvement, small steps compounded over time into major gains.
Proof in Action
I’ve seen this approach first hand through my granddaughter, Millie, a para-gymnast who competes across all four disciplines. Despite physical challenges, her coaches consistently set routines that stretch her by just the right amount. Over months, those small, focused gains have added up to gold medals.
In business, the same philosophy applies. Imagine the compound effect if every member of your team improved by 10% in key areas:
- 10% more opportunities
- 10% higher conversion rates
- 10% better price optimisation
That’s not a 10% lift in profit, it’s far greater.
Questions for Leaders
- Do you have a staff development strategy that mirrors this?
- How many of your team would pass the passion-and-commitment test?
- Do you have leaders who can coach, not just manage?
- Where should you invest first to start this cycle of growth?
At SMECO, we help businesses put this into practice by providing tailored support, from coaching and leadership development to temporary additional resource, so you can embed the “percentage game” into everyday business.
Because whether on the gymnastics floor or in the boardroom, growth comes from structured stretch, consistent practice, and the courage to play the long game.
To arrange a discovery session and take a reflective look at your options contact me.