leadership sports quotes

Sport is a great metaphor for life. And these sports quotes have been hand-picked to help inspire both leaders and their staff. Let us know if we missed any of your favorites.

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    Babe Ruth on perseverance.

    “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth

    Babe Ruth on perseverance.

    “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth

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    Michael Jordan on fears

    “Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” – Michael Jordan

    Michael Jordan on fears

    “Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” – Michael Jordan

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    Wayne Gretzky on taking the shot

    “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

    Wayne Gretzky on taking the shot

    “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

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    Expect Great Things

    “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan

    Expect Great Things

    “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan

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    The Importance of the Want to Win

    “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” – Vince Lombardi

    The Importance of the Want to Win

    “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” – Vince Lombardi

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    Derek Jeter on Working Hard

    “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” – Derek Jeter

    Derek Jeter on Working Hard

    “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” – Derek Jeter

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    Learning that Failure is OK

    “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

    Learning that Failure is OK

    “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

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    Vince Lombardi on Getting Up

    “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi

    Vince Lombardi on Getting Up

    “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi

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    Pele on Difficult Times

    “The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.” – Pele

    Pele on Difficult Times

    “The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.” – Pele

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    Giving Your Best

    “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” – George Halas

    Giving Your Best

    “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” – George Halas

Need even more quotes for inspiration? Click here to troll our list of innovation quotes.

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    Imran Khan on Dreams

    "Compromise for your dream, but never compromise on your dream.” – Imran Khan

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    Arnold Schwarzenegger on Strength

    “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

    Arnold Schwarzenegger on Strength

    “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

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    Never Give Up

    “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” – Dean Karnazes, an American ultramarathon runner, and author

    Never Give Up

    “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” – Dean Karnazes, an American ultramarathon runner, and author

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    Courage

    “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” – Muhammad Ali

    Courage

    “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” – Muhammad Ali

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    Don't Quit

    “You’re never a loser until you quit trying.” – Mike Ditka

    Don't Quit

    “You’re never a loser until you quit trying.” – Mike Ditka

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    Tom Landry, Learning From Defeat

    “I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat.” – Tom Landry

    Tom Landry, Learning From Defeat

    “I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat.” – Tom Landry

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    Tough Love from Charles Barkley

    “If you are afraid of failure you don’t deserve to be successful!” – Charles Barkley

    Tough Love from Charles Barkley

    “If you are afraid of failure you don’t deserve to be successful!” – Charles Barkley

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    Mary Lou Retton on Memories

    “A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.” – Mary Lou Retton

    Mary Lou Retton on Memories

    “A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.” – Mary Lou Retton

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    Something to Lose

    “What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose.” – Andre Agassi

    Something to Lose

    “What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose.” – Andre Agassi

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    Bear Bryant on Preparation

    “It’s not the will to win that matters — everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” – Paul “Bear” Bryant

    Bear Bryant on Preparation

    “It’s not the will to win that matters — everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” – Paul “Bear” Bryant

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    Doing It Right All The Time

    “Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don’t do things right once in a while. You do them right all the time. ” – Vince Lombardi

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    When Odds Are Against You

    “Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” – Arnold Palmer

    When Odds Are Against You

    “Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” – Arnold Palmer

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    Michael Phelps, No Limits

    “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.” – Michael Phelps

    Michael Phelps, No Limits

    “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.” – Michael Phelps

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    Tommy Lasorda on People

    “In baseball and in business, there are three types of people. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” – Tommy Lasorda

    Tommy Lasorda on People

    “In baseball and in business, there are three types of people. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” – Tommy Lasorda

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    Bobby Unser on Success

    “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” – Bobby Unser

    Bobby Unser on Success

    “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” – Bobby Unser

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    Winner Don't Quit

    “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” – Vince Lombardi

    Winner Don't Quit

    “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” – Vince Lombardi

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    Yogi Berra on Perseverance

    “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” – Yogi Berra

    Yogi Berra on Perseverance

    “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” – Yogi Berra

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    Go all the Way

    “If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all?” – Joe Namath

    Go all the Way

    “If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all?” – Joe Namath

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    Lou Holtz on Discipline

    “Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period.” – Lou Holtz

    Lou Holtz on Discipline

    “Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period.” – Lou Holtz

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