Leadership is a fascinating thing, and it looks different for everyone. My younger sister was a natural leader from the start, but for me, it’s been a journey. One that took a surprising turn during my years playing on a hockey team that wasn’t exactly… successful.
Over three seasons, we won less than 10% of our games. It wasn’t the most glamorous hockey career, but I learned some incredible lessons about what leadership truly means.
At first, I was drawn to the stars on our team. They had the skills I lacked, having started hockey relatively late at age 12. I looked to them for leadership, but as the losses piled up, I realized I was wrong.
True leadership on our team wasn’t about being the best. It was about engagement and resilience in the face of defeat. The players who stood out weren’t the ones who scored the most goals, but those who stayed fully engaged even when we were down 9 to 1. They didn’t blame anyone else and kept inspiring us all. They were the ones who reminded us that losing didn’t define us.
Leadership isn’t just about commanding a room; it’s about fostering spirit. It’s about those small gestures that can lift others up. A pat on the back, a word of encouragement, a simple “I appreciate you” – these are the building blocks of leadership.
It’s about inclusion and creating an environment where everyone feels valued. My hockey experience may not have made me a great player, but it taught me that leadership is about impact, not power. It’s about how you make others feel, how you contribute to their success, and how you build a sense of community and teamwork.