Leadership modeling from my 12-year old

This past weekend, my son competed in a fencing tournament, and what I witnessed was a masterclass in leadership and growth.

He started rough. Visibly frustrated and clearly disappointed in his performance. I could only offer support and remind him of what he already knew. During a break, he took a walk to reset. He was emotional but determined to work through it.

What happened next was remarkable. He came back and competed like a completely different person. He'd made a choice: instead of carrying those first disappointing rounds with him, he focused forward. He didn't just see it through, he thrived, advancing much further than seemed possible just 20 minutes earlier.

But here's what impressed me most: At the end, he did something that struck me as pure leadership material. He named exactly what he'd been doing wrong, then acknowledged what he didn't yet know how to defend against. No excuses, no dwelling on the tough start. Just clear-eyed assessment and a plan for what to work on this week at practice.

In coaching, the ability to acknowledge where you are without getting stuck is where the power is. Acknowledging the defeat is healthy, as long as it's coupled with an action plan and forward momentum.

He finished the competition with something better than a medal (though of course that’s what he was going for): the knowledge that he's in choice about how his story unfolds, and the wisdom to turn setbacks into stepping stones.

Sometimes the most important wins are the ones that prepare us for tomorrow.