What does it take to go the distance? As runners from around the world prepare to take on the New York City Marathon on November 1, the spotlight turns to the pursuit of peak performance. What sets world-class athletes, teams, and coaches apart—and what can business leaders learn from them?
Conversations with elite performers reveal eight winning behaviors that underpin sustained success. In a recent video series, McKinsey Senior Partner Seth Goldstrom introduces these habits, exploring what they could mean for business leaders and organizations seeking to raise their game.
For winning coaches and athletes, talent and ambition are only the starting point. The best performers set ambitious goals and hold themselves accountable for achieving them, while remaining willing to adapt when circumstances change. They continually look for opportunities to gain an edge, embrace coaching and feedback, and refine the routines that support their performance. These behaviors help turn individual moments of excellence into consistent, long-term success.
Race day is the final act, but for marathon runners, the real work happens behind the scenes—through preparation, discipline, and a commitment to getting better. Explore these perspectives on the habits and strategies behind sustained success in sports and business.
Winning: What the best athletes, teams, and coaches do differently
Turning data into decisions: Lessons from professional cycling
The athlete’s mindset for digital and AI transformation
The CEO as elite athlete: What business leaders can learn from modern sports