High performance under pressure: From the court to the boardroom

In this dynamic episode of Vistage LIVE, Stephanie Christopher speaks with Emma Doyle—a former elite tennis player turned corporate high-performance coach. Emma shares how her early coaching experiences on the tennis court shaped her leadership philosophy. These experiences ultimately led her to work with CEOs and business leaders across the globe.

Drawing parallels between sport and leadership, Emma explains what it takes to lead with energy, curiosity, and empathy under pressure. For example, she emphasizes that “leader as coach” is more than a philosophy—it is the way of now. Leaders who adopt this mindset focus on drawing out potential in their teams rather than simply giving instructions. Additionally, they learn to communicate effectively across different personality types and manage pressure without losing clarity or confidence.

Emma shares practical strategies to help leaders unlock performance:

• Coaching as a mindset: Pulling out potential rather than pushing information in. Leaders who focus on growth inspire engagement and accountability.
• The opponent in your head: Internal blocks, such as self-doubt or fear, often limit performance more than external challenges. Recognising them improves decision-making and resilience.
• The Grow Model: A simple yet powerful framework for coaching teams. By using it, leaders can guide structured growth conversations that encourage development and ownership.
• Emotional intelligence, trust, and curiosity: These modern leadership superpowers build stronger connections and allow leaders to respond adaptively to change.
• The importance of grounding: “Get your head where your feet are.” Staying present helps leaders make better decisions, even under pressure.

Emma’s energy and authenticity shine throughout the episode. Furthermore, she shares stories from both her sports career and corporate coaching, illustrating how high-performance principles translate into business. By applying these insights, leaders can unlock potential in themselves and others, drive engagement, and achieve sustainable results.