Most people think curling is simple, quaint, and predictable.
Olympic curlers know it’s intense, strategic, and full of surprises – and that’s why it’s such a great metaphor for how careers actually work.
During the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, I’ll publish a short daily reflection connecting a detail of curling to a practical career or leadership skill you can use immediately.
As you watch the throwers throw and the sweepers sweep, you may start noticing something else too: your own decision-making, accountability, and communication playing out on the ice.
Why I trust curling to teach real-world lessons
I’ve been a part of the curling community since 1990. It started as an extension of a date to a university football game in graduate school. (More on that story here if you’re curious.)
On the ice: I love to compete. I’ve enjoyed provincial championships in Quebec, and regional and national championships in the USA. The first story in my book is about my wake-up call when the sport introduced time clocks!
Off the ice: I love the camaraderie and friendships, especially with those I just played against, regardless of the score. Curlers are special people – generous and supportive. Whenever I’ve moved to a different city, I’ve felt welcomed and grounded at the curling club. I’ve been the President of three curling clubs and been part of physically building a fourth. Officially it’s one of my “hobbies” but it probably also qualifies as an addiction.
Why sports metaphors work (even if you don’t like sports)
Since even before the ancient Olympic Games, sports have been created and played, and they’ve offered their opportunities to learn life lessons. The parallels for goal setting, teamwork, perseverance, and achievement are obvious.
I have been serving as a leadership coach and a career coach since 2019, and I continue to be motivated to help professionals keep moving in their careers. All of my clients have heard me offer a sports metaphor at least once through our work together!
You don’t need to know anything about curling. If you’ve ever navigated pressure, uncertainty, resistance, or tough decisions at work – you can relate.
This series is a bite sized offering.
Perhaps they are merely reminders of what you learned earlier in life in your own sport or learned the hard way on a delayed promotion path.
The tips may make you smile. They may make you simply say to yourself “Yup, that’s true.” And maybe one of them turns out to be something you just needed to hear this month.
A 30-second primer on curling
Yes – it’s on ice. No – players don’t wear skates.
Yes – Canada has won the most Olympic curling medals. No – Canada is not a lock for being on the podium because there are amazing curlers in a lot of countries.
Yes – it’s the one with the sweeping. No – the sweepers don’t only sweep, but everyone throws stones too.
Yes – I’m willing to admit that it’s like shuffleboard or boules on ice. No – it’s so much more than that though!
For more info, here are some short videos with some basic overviews of the game.
- Curling – A 2 Minute Guide – World Curling
- How to Play Curling: Rules, Scoring & Strategy Explained – The Rookie’s Guide to Sports
What’s ahead
If you read all 20 posts, you won’t become an Olympic curler – but you may become more intentional about your engagement, your leadership, and your growth at work.
Tomorrow – yes, two days before the Opening Ceremony! – the Mixed Doubles event begins. And we’ll start with a post about those time clocks!
