From sports to business Inspiring the confidence of female athletes EY Japan WABN Academy

Sasagawa: That seminar at the 4th WABN Academy was my second time speaking as a presenter, but I found it very unusual how all the athletes seemed to lack confidence.

To me, their lack of confidence didn’t make sense considering their extraordinary perseverance, ability to relentlessly pursue their goals, leadership qualities, and resilience to overcome challenges in their sports.

Hirose: Yes, I felt the same. In fact, in Japan, there is a shared perception that it is difficult for retired athletes to have successful second careers, as revealed by a past EY survey, in which only 4% of Japanese female athletes responded that “transitioning to a different career after retiring from sports is easy.”

Kobayashi: I can relate to other athletes who say that they are not confident about themselves. In my case, I have spent many years of my life in the world of competitive swimming, so I had limited experience as a working member of society. That’s why I constantly lack confidence in myself.

Sasagawa: That’s a shame. There is a saying that "successful businesspeople are business athletes," which reflects the growing trend among executives to learn from the mindset of athletes.

It was frustrating to see women athletes lacking confidence at the WABN Academy, so I carefully explained how athletes can connect their entrepreneurial qualities to their next careers. I especially hope that outstanding women athletes can gain the skills to thrive as business leaders in society.

Hirose: Increasing the number of women in decision-making roles is the next milestone EY aims to achieve.

Sasagawa: An increase in female leaders will facilitate the development of women-friendly working environments and is expected to improve work-life balance. It will eventually lead to many positive changes, such as the emergence of new businesses and markets.

The leadership and decision-making skills of athletes are also beneficial in corporate management, so I hope to see more female leaders from athletic backgrounds emerge from WABN.

Kobayashi: I'm not sure how much I can accomplish, but after hearing Sasagawa's words, I've started to feel that it's ok to have a little more confidence in myself. Recognizing that the efforts I've made have some value is a significant step forward for me.

Sasagawa: Among those who ardently listened to my lecture, Kobayashi left a particularly strong impression on me. I mentioned to the audience that many former top athletes are now building new careers as external directors for listed companies, and Kobayashi asked me, “I have never been offered such an opportunity. How can I become one of them?”

Hirose: Listed companies tend to seek external directors who already have experience with at least one company, so I am well aware of how difficult it is to get that first opportunity.

Sasagawa: That’s correct. However, when one day I was asked by a listed company if I knew anyone suitable for the position of external statutory auditor, Kobayashi’s face came to mind before anyone else’s. The company has a rich history and consistently embraces new challenges with a progressive mindset. This openness created a welcoming atmosphere for appointing Kobayashi, a lawyer, to take on the role of external statutory auditor for the first time.

Now that Kobayashi is gaining experience at her first company, I am sure she will receive many more job offers in the future. We can expect great things in her future.

Hirose: I am overjoyed to see how the relationship and accomplishments of Sasagawa and Kobayashi highlight the significance of EY's entrepreneurial network.

Indeed, Sasagawa's participation in the 3rd WABN Academy, while also being involved in another EY entrepreneurial program, has inspired and created opportunities for numerous Academy members, including Kobayashi.

Kobayashi: Through the WABN Academy, I was able to connect not only with Sasagawa and Hirose but also with athletes from different sports who were experiencing the same struggles as I was. I would not have been able to gain these valuable connections on my own.

I feel that EY’s initiative to leverage its entrepreneurial ecosystem underscores its focus as a company on fostering dynamic connections and building an inclusive society.

Sasagawa: Entrepreneurs tend to feel isolated, but networks like this can foster inspiration among them and promote mutual growth.

Hirose: The 4th EY Japan WABN Academy has fully incorporated collaboration with EWW into its program. The goal of the WABN Academy is to enhance collaboration with stakeholders both within and outside of EY, utilizing EY's accumulated insights to enrich the program.