Insights from the InX Leadership Summit – spring 2025 edition

At the latest InX Leadership Summit, we had the privilege of hosting Alistair Brownlee MBE, two-time Olympic triathlon champion, investor, charity ambassador and advisor. His reflections on elite sport and the dangerous myth of the perfect routine offered striking parallels to leadership in high-performance organisations.

Here are three key themes that resonated with our audience:

1. Consistency beats perfection

Success, Alistair emphasised, is not built on flawless routines or single moments of brilliance. It comes from consistent action over time.

“You don't need the perfect routine — you need to remove the barriers that stop you from doing what matters.”

He spoke about designing systems that minimise reliance on willpower — habits, accountability and an environment that supports discipline. Getting an accountability partner helps to add the social element — Alistair’s brother Jonny was his. This helps you create achievable routines that build the hours, weeks and years of consistent work. Whether in sport or business, leaders who build consistent behaviours into their teams and culture are more likely to win over the long term.

2. Pressure is a privilege

Having stood on the world stage, Alistair understands pressure better than most. His view? It’s a sign of progress — not something to fear, but something to embrace.

“It’s easy to win the first time. It’s harder the second, even harder the third. Not only is pressure a privilege, it’s also far better than not having pressure, because it means you’ve done something to deserve it.”

The mindset shift is: aren’t I lucky to have done what I have so far? For leaders, reframing pressure as an earned opportunity — rather than a threat — can help teams stay grounded, focused and energised even when the stakes are high.

3. Great teams drive great performance

Behind every individual success is a carefully built team. Alistair highlighted the importance of aligning personal goals with team outcomes, understanding what motivates people, and celebrating progress — even the small wins.

“You need a big group of people behind you — and their goals need to align with your goals as a leader.”

For leaders guiding teams through change or challenge, it’s essential to find out what makes each person tick. What helps them perform at their best? What motivates them? High-performing teams thrive when they feel part of the journey. Make a big effort even for the little things. Celebrate the team’s small wins. Leaders who invest time in understanding their people and building cohesion set the foundation for sustained success.

Reflecting on the latest InX Leadership Summit

Alistair’s story is not just about medals — it’s about mindset. The discipline to do hard things over time. The humility to celebrate small steps. The resilience to keep going through injury and other setbacks. These qualities are just as essential in the boardroom as they are in elite sport.

We’re incredibly grateful to our community of leaders who made the Spring Leadership Summit such a meaningful event, and a special thank you to Alistair for his time and insights. By fostering these conversations, we hope to inspire a new wave of leaders ready to challenge norms, connect with purpose and thrive through continuous learning. We look forward to seeing you at the next one.

Watch the video highlights

More from Alistair Brownlee

In this episode, InX Managing Director Paul Collier speaks with Alistair about the journey behind his success. From the grit of elite training to the importance of grassroots sport, Alistair shares what’s shaped him and what’s driving his next chapter.

If you missed the Spring Summit, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter, InX Connect, to hear about future events. Or, if you’re looking for the right executives to help achieve your ambitious business goals, get in touch to see how we can help.

Setting the pace for your team: Leadership lessons from Alistair Brownlee