No, my account wasn't hacked, Reader.
And yes, this is a brief football story. ⚽
Last night, I had some friends over to watch a football match. A big one, apparently.
Arsenal vs. Real Madrid.
My friends were very excited, they explained to me, because this specific matchup hadn’t happened in decades, and Arsenal is right now in peak form.
Most of the room was cheering for Real Madrid, but then… something impressive happened.
Declan Rice, one of Arsenal’s players, pulled off a goal that defied all logic.
The kind that look like they’re headed for the parking lot but somehow, MIRACOROUSLY, curl into the top corner of the net like a stroke on a perfect painting. 🎨
I am no huge football fan, but I swear was ululating. 😂
Why am I telling you this, Reader?
Because, even more than the goal itself, I loved the story behind it, listening to the interviews after the match.
👉 This is what happened:
Right before the shot, the coach told Rice not to go for it: he was too far out.
Everyone else agreed: “Don’t shoot.”
Except for one person.
Another Arsenal team member, Bukayo Saka, quietly walked over and just said:
“
If you feel like it… go for it.
And so Rice did.
And what came out of that moment was unbelievable. Not only did he score that one, but he scored another unbelievable one less than 30 minutes later.
Arsenal won 3 - 0.
Sometimes, you already know you can do it, and all it takes is one sweet human who holds space for you when the whole room is saying, “Nah, not happening.”
As leaders, we have the unique privilege of being that sweet human.
The one who offers listening and space when someone is doubting themselves, the one who says, “If you feel like it… go for it.”
This is why I love coaching so much, Reader.
It’s about helping people discover what’s most needed and holding that space for them to step into their full potential.
And how freacking powerful is that.
