BEYOND THE COURT: Roger Federer's Lessons on Empathy, Inclusion, and Allyship for Leaders
- Miriam Mukasa - Inclusive Leadership & AI
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
“I knew that tennis could show me the world but tennis could not be the world…
In his 2024 commencement address at Dartmouth College, tennis legend Roger Federer shared his perspective on the importance of leading a well-rounded life and leveraging one's platform to empower others.
“I knew that tennis could show me the world but tennis could not be the world…even when I was in the Top 5, it was important for me to have a rewarding life full of travel, culture, friendships, and especially family…but I never lost my appetite to see the very big world… I was excited to travel the world but not just as a tourist. I realised quite early on that I wanted to serve other people in other countries motivated by my South African mother, I started a foundation to empower children through education…”
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Gracious in defeat, humble in victory, this champion has displayed Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Cultural Intelligence (CQ) that extends beyond the tennis court. Despite his privilege and career pressures, Roger has quietly served underprivileged communities for over 20 years using his platform & privilege to empower others.
The Federer way of leadership is characterised by smooth & steady commitment, effective teamwork, consistency and an innate curiosity about people and things outside one’s domain. Leading with EQ and CQ inspires and empowers those around you both personally as well as professionally and Roger’s ability to use his platform to amplify the achievements of others is an exemplary demonstration of allyship in action.
One of the best commencement addresses in recent memory, Federer's words will continue to resonate with leaders and individuals alike. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqWUuYTcG-o
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