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The start of 2025 was special for my family. Instead of celebrating separately, we traveled together to San Antonio, Texas, to support my 12-year-old son at his national tennis tournament.

But things didn’t go as planned. On the way there, I caught a cold. My first thought? I just hope he doesn’t get sick too. I felt anxious, guilty, and even wondered if I should have stayed behind.

Sure enough, the next day, my son caught the cold too. His year-end tournament – one he had worked so hard for – was suddenly at risk. I didn’t know how he’d react. Would he be frustrated? Blame me? Would he let this setback define his tournament?

Rather than making assumptions, we sat down as a family and had an honest conversation.

I shared how bad I felt about the situation. But then, we talked about his choices:
💡He could quit and focus on what went wrong.
💡Or he could accept the challenge, manage his energy the best he could, and play with what he had.

At the end of the day, it was his choice – his accountability, his mindset, and his tournament.

With clarity and purpose, he stepped onto the court. Seven matches later, he won the championship.

What I learned about Leadership from this experience:

1) A leader’s response to adversity defines their leadership. Challenges are inevitable – how we respond to them matters most.
2) Effective conversations can change outcomes. Whether coaching an athlete, managing performance issues, or leading a company, the right dialogue can shift perspectives.
3) Vulnerability isn’t weakness – it’s strength. Acknowledging challenges fosters trust and connection.
4) Validating emotions sets the stage for constructive conversations. People want to feel heard before they’re ready to act.
5) Internal motivation is irreplaceable. When people believe in a vision and take ownership, nothing can stop them.

This experience reinforced an important truth: Great leadership isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about creating clarity, fostering accountability, and empowering others to rise to the occasion.