High Performance Under Pressure: Coaching Lessons 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, ultimately driving her to work with CEOs and business leaders across the world.

Drawing parallels between sport and leadership, Emma unpacks what it takes to lead with energy, curiosity, and empathy under pressure. She explains why “leader as coach” is not just a philosophy, but the way of now. With practical tips on how to build trust, communicate across personality types, and turn pressure into performance, Emma offers powerful insights for leaders looking to unlock potential — in themselves and in others.

Key themes include:

• Coaching as a mindset: Pulling out potential vs pushing information in.

• The opponent in your head: How internal blocks limit performance.

• The Grow Model: A simple but powerful framework for coaching teams.

• Emotional intelligence, trust, and curiosity as modern leadership superpowers.

• The importance of grounding: “Get your head where your feet are.”

Emma’s energy and authenticity shine as she shares stories from her career in sport and business, making this episode a must-listen for leaders ready to step up under pressure.