Commonwealth Games gold medallist and four-time Olympian Eilish McColgan has shared insights from elite sport with Scotland’s business leaders as part of a leadership webinar hosted by Entrepreneurial Scotland.
The session, Who You Run with Matters: The Power of the Right Peer Network, brought together founders and senior leaders from across Scotland for a discussion on performance, mindset and the role of trusted support networks in sustaining success.
With Glasgow preparing to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the conversation offered a timely opportunity to hear from one of Scotland’s leading athletes on what it takes to compete - and continue improving - at the highest level.
McColgan, one of Scotland’s most decorated distance runners, reflected on her journey in a fireside conversation exploring the discipline, resilience and mindset required to perform consistently over time. Central to her message was the importance of the people around you, and the role that trusted individuals play in providing challenge, support, and perspective.
The discussion was hosted by endurance cyclist, broadcaster, and investor Mark Beaumont, who drew out parallels between elite sport and leadership in business, including the importance of consistency, accountability and learning at every stage of a career.
The session also provided an opportunity to explore Entrepreneurial Scotland’s peer support programme, The Exchange, which connects founders, chief executives, and senior leaders through structured peer boards. Designed to support leaders through the realities of building and scaling organisations, the programme brings together small groups to share experience, challenge thinking and provide trusted support.
McColgan said:
“In elite sport, success is never a solo effort. Behind every performance is a
team of people who challenge you, support you and push you to improve. Having
the right people around you can make all the difference, and it’s something
that translates just as strongly into leadership and business.”
Sean McGrath, CEO of Entrepreneurial Scotland,
added:
“One of the themes that came through clearly is that high performance is rarely
achieved in isolation. Whether in sport or in business, having a trusted group
of people around you - those who can offer honest perspective and challenge
your thinking - can make a significant difference over time.
“That principle sits at the heart of The Exchange, where leaders come together in small peer groups to support one another through the challenges of leading and growing an organisation.”
Learn more about The Exchange: http://www.esf.scot/membership
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