Approximately a 3.5-minute read

Hi There!

When I work with top sports leaders, I focus on three things: how they see what's happening, how they respond to setbacks, and how they weigh the consequences before making big calls. These aren't just feel-good ideas; they're the foundation of real results. If you see clearly, respond well to adversity, and think through your choices, you'll perform better under pressure. I had a great conversation with Nathan Barry about some of these topics. You can listen to it here.

Hope these principles are valuable for you this week:

perception.

Perception is personal.
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Each of us views the world through the lens of our own experiences, capabilities, and circumstances. Where one person sees obstacles, another might see opportunities. Someone who has been burned by past failures may hesitate to take risks, while someone who hasn’t faced those setbacks may take progress for granted.
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Psychologist Dennis Proffitt’s research reminds us that perception isn’t just about eyesight—it’s shaped by mindset, attention, and past experiences. The same situation can look completely different depending on who is looking at it.
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Effective leaders don’t just demand that others see things their way. They take the time to understand how each individual perceives the situation. Before correcting, challenging, or pushing, they pause to consider: What does this look like from their perspective? What’s weighing on their mind?
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The best leaders recognize that before you tell people where to look, you must first understand what they see.

try it:

This week, when someone frustrates you, pause and ask: “What might this look like from their side?” Before correcting or pushing, consider what pressure or experience might be shaping their view.

adversity.

Adversity isn’t something that might happen; it’s something that will happen. These seven principles apply before adversity hits, while you’re in the middle of it, or when you’re helping others through it.

1. See the good in the bad. Be the person who can find the bright side in a difficult situation and keep challenges in perspective. This isn’t about being unrealistic or naive; it’s about facing adversity head-on and focusing on what you can control.
2. Respond with curiosity. Ask: What can I learn from this? What opportunities does this create? What do I need to consider? As a leader, what behavior should I model right now? These questions lead to effective action.
3. Help others through your example. There’s no one-size-fits-all response to adversity. You can’t force others to see it your way. Stay connected, navigate the storm together, and remember: calm is contagious.
4. It doesn’t get easier; you get stronger. Struggle triggers growth. Failure is feedback. Losing teaches. Setbacks set up comebacks.
5. Be consistent. When times are great, keep things in perspective. When times are tough, keep things in perspective.
6. Let pain become fuel. Don’t let difficulty blind you to the opportunity inside it. The struggle you’re in now could be the very thing that shapes your best self later.
7. Remember: it’s part of the process. You will question why you started, and that’s normal. Obstacles test how badly you want it. See them as stepping stones to where you want to go.

Adversity will not wait for you to be ready. Decide now how you’ll respond as a leader, because the next challenge could be the one that defines you and your team.

try it:

Choose one of the seven principles that you need most right now. Today, apply it to one small frustration. Don’t wait for a big storm. Practice on the small stuff.

ripples.

In my work with leaders, decision-making is always a big topic. When a sports executive or coach is walking through a tough decision, one principle we often discuss is:
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“Focus on the ripple, not the rock.”
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Here’s what I mean.
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When you throw a rock into a pond, your eyes naturally go to the splash, the immediate impact. But the real story is in the ripples. That’s how decision-making works as well.
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We often ask: “If I do this… what happens?”
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A question most people neglect is: “…and then what?”
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It’s easy to fall in love with short-term wins or quick fixes. But sometimes the solution you choose creates a wave of new problems you didn’t see coming.
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This is why we slow down, play it out, and poke holes in the perceived best-case scenario. We want to consider the effects of the effect.
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You can’t predict everything. There will always be trade-offs. But the more you map the ripple, the more prepared you’ll be to lead through it.

try it:

Think of one decision you’re about to make. Jot down what will happen right away (the “rock”). Then, ask yourself, “…and then what?” three times. Imagine how the effects might ripple out, not just the first impact. Before you make your choice, think about whether you’re ready for the ripple effects that come with it, not just the quick win.

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​​Hope you have a great week!

Justin Su'a

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