The 28-year-old added that instead of being focused on the performance of others, it’s critical to set your own standards for success.
“I set goals, but those goals aren’t about winning. Winning is inherently about comparison,” she said. “The real race is always the same: it’s me against my goals.”
In the end, keeping your eyes on someone else’s lane can throw you off your own pace. The more energy you spend tracking the competition, the less you have to invest in mastering your craft.
Fortune reached out to Ledecky for comment.
“You can’t go the distance alone, continue to surround yourself with people who will challenge you, support you and make you laugh, make sure you spend time with the people who matter to you,” she told the class of 2025.
Like Ledecky, Biles wasn’t focused on being the best gymnast ever, but rather the best version of herself.
“To be an elite student or an elite athlete or an elite anything, you have to be…the kind of person who is fueled by their own passion,” Biles added. “My goal was to be the greatest Simone Biles of all time.”
In fact, many chief executives credit sports for shaping their leadership styles in the boardroom.
“Sports can empower all of us to achieve excellence in every aspect of our lives. We are all athletes, pursuing our own greatness in everything that we do,” Linnartz said. “Personally, I’ve always been an avid runner as the sport has kept me grounded throughout my life and focused on what’s up ahead, rather than behind.”
