The Competitive Advantage Newsletter is your Monday morning edge, created for growth-minded athletes, coaches, and sports parents. Each issue is a 2-3 minute read and delivers actionable strategies and powerful stories straight from my work with the world’s top performers. If you're serious about getting better, join thousands of others as the place to start your week.
IYI Newsletter: burn the ships + capitalize on the sun
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Happy Monday! I'm taking a different approach this week. I often have conversations, experiences, and problems that others can learn from. I'm going to start sharing them with you all here. Burn the ShipsThis past week I was in NYC for the Sports Business Journal 40 Under 40 event, which honors young professionals who are already making a major impact in the sports world. One of the recipients was Andrew Hawkins. Hawk was a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns when I served as the team’s Process Coach in 2016. He was not only a formidable player but also an exceptional person, and he continues to do remarkable things. Even though we haven’t seen each other in years, he told me he still thinks about a story I shared with the team nearly a decade ago—and he continues to share it with others. Here it is: In 1519, Hernán Cortés sailed from Spain to Mexico to conquer the Aztecs. Legend says that after his men arrived, he gave a shocking order: “Burn the ships.”
His soldiers panicked—"How will we get home? What if we need to retreat?"
Cortés’ answer was simple: “We will conquer or we will perish.”
With no way back, his men marched into unknown territory against a fierce enemy—and accomplished what they came to do.
Burning the ships removes the escape route. It shuts the door on running away. It forces commitment. Yes, backup plans can be smart, but sometimes a safety net keeps you from going all in.
If you’re struggling to commit, ask yourself one question: What ship do I need to burn?
Action step of the week: Identify one area where you’ve been hesistating to go all in. Burn the ship of retreat and take one step forward. Capitalize on the SunYesterday an NBA coach and I were talking about “capitalizing on the sun.” At any point in a season, regardless of the sport, my clients are always in one of three phases: in a storm, coming out of a storm, or heading into one. During prolonged stretches of adversity, it’s easy for a team to slip into survival mode. During those stretches, successful teams lean heavily on the relationships they have already built. But when those relationships aren’t strong to begin with, hard times feel even harder. The phrase is true: you can’t draw from an empty well. And the best time to fill the relationship well is when the sun is shining, when the team is winning, energy is high, and there is room to breathe. When the sun is out, conversations are easier to come by, positive vibes fill the building, and the environment becomes fertile ground for problem-solving and creativity. Those stretches are the perfect opportunty to build deeper connections with the people on your team. Action step of the week: Every team rides waves. Some of you are in a storm right now; others are riding high. Capitalize on the sun and strengthen your relationships during the good times so that they can be a source of strength during the tough times. If this email was forwarded to you and you want it to come directly to your inbox, click here to subscribe About Justin Su'a | Instagram | Linkedin | X Click to listen to the "Increase Your Impact Podcast" |
Justin Su'a
The Competitive Advantage Newsletter is your Monday morning edge, created for growth-minded athletes, coaches, and sports parents. Each issue is a 2-3 minute read and delivers actionable strategies and powerful stories straight from my work with the world’s top performers. If you're serious about getting better, join thousands of others as the place to start your week.
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