Roger Federer: Leadership Lessons from the `Greatest of All Times` in the World of Tennis
| Case Code: LDEN196 Case Length: 17 Pages Period: 2022 Pub Date: 2023 Teaching Note: Available |
Price: Rs.400 Organization : - Industry :- Countries : Switzerland Themes: Leadership & Values Business Ethics, Corporate Responsibility,Ethical Leadership |
Abstract Case Intro 1 Case Intro 2 Excerpts
Abstract
The case discusses the responsible leadership that Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer (Federer) exhibited leading his life with integrity and demonstrated values-driven behavior on court and off the court. As of September 2022, Federer had won 103 titles, 20 Grand Slam titles, and 1,251 wins in tennis. For all these achievements, he came to be known as the ‘Greatest of All Times’ (GOAT) by his fans in tennis. Federer also received appreciation from several quarters for his sportsmanship, for being an epitome of grace and humility on court and off the court, and for being a humanitarian. He handled his wins with humility and his defeats with graciousness. His fellow players often appreciated Federer for his commitment to leading his life with integrity. As of 2022, Federer had won the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award 13 times for his professionalism and integrity – an award wherein his fellow players voted for him.
Federer was also a responsible leader whose decisions were by driven by values such as giving back to the society. In 2003, at the age of 22, he started the Roger Federer Foundation with the aim to provide education to underprivileged children in Africa and Switzerland. According to industry observers while Federer created social value through his foundation, he created huge economic value for the society as well as for himself. By the end of 2018, Federer had given US$50 million of the money he had earned as prize money and through brand endorsements to his foundation. Federer only endorsed brands which matched his core values, sensibilities, and standards.
In September 2022, Federer announced his retirement from professional tennis since he was grappling with some injuries. After his retirement, he planned to focus more on his foundation, participate in exhibition matches, and spend more time with his family. Industry experts believed that Federer’s biggest legacy, going forward would be his portfolio of brand endorsements some of which might continue even after retirement.
Issues
The case is structured to achieve the following teaching objectives:
- Understand the similarities between sport and business leadership.
- Know the role of a coach or mentor in developing responsible leadership.
- Understand value creation in the context of sports and business.
- Explore the challenges faced by leaders in managing stakeholder expectations
Contents
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Introduction
Making of the ‘Swiss Maestro’
Leading with Integrity
Demonstrating Value-Based Decision Making
On the Defensive
The Maestro announces his Retirement
Looking Ahead
Exhibits
Keywords
Responsible Leader; Team Player; Humanitarian; Humility; Integrity; Social Value; Economic Value; The Mighty Federer; King Roger; Swiss Maestro; Association Of Tennis Players; Roger Federer Foundation; Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award; Rafel Nadal, Novak Djokovic
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