How Top World Cup, NBA, and NFL Coaches Make Better Decisions Under Pressure artwork
HBR IdeaCast

How Top World Cup, NBA, and NFL Coaches Make Better Decisions Under Pressure

Jun 30, 2026 · 31 min

When the stakes are high and the clock is ticking, how do great leaders make the right call? Sports performance consultant Alan McCall and sports scientist Johann Bilsborough say that leaders can improve decision-making before, during, and after critical moments, based on lessons they've learned from elite sports coaches. They share research on why preparation matters more than instinct, how to fi…