The unexpected lesson for me came from a moment of terror—the instant I put my foot on the ice.
When the AALP Class 21 North American Study Tour agenda was released, I was excited to see an afternoon of curling in Calgary. It felt like a perfect chance to try a quintessentially Canadian sport with a supportive group of peers. I told colleagues, friends, and family how much I was looking forward to it. I had even spent a week in January at a provincial curling championship, soaking in the atmosphere and community.
Everything about the experience appealed to me, until I stepped onto the ice.
The moment I placed my foot on the slider, my body took over. Anxiety surged. Memories flashed—falls, slips, loss of control on winter roads. I couldn’t access the rational part of my mind that knew I was safe. What was supposed to be fun suddenly felt overwhelming.
After a couple of attempts, I felt tears rising. Around me, classmates laughed and glided with ease. I set my slider on the bench and turned toward the exit, hoping to slip away unnoticed.
Just before I reached the door, a classmate called out.
I paused. I stayed. And while I thought I might simply cheer from the sidelines, my classmates had other ideas. They listened, validated what I was feeling, and then helped me find another way to participate: stick curling.
So my slider stayed on the bench, and I picked up a stick.
I joined a team, was welcomed without hesitation, and—thanks to some experienced players—we won the game. But the real win had nothing to do with the scoreboard.
That afternoon reshaped my understanding of leadership. We often equate resilience with pushing through. But what I experienced was leadership rooted in awareness, adaptation, and support.
My classmates noticed. They listened. And they created another path for me to stay engaged. I even had fun.
That’s leadership.
It’s recognizing when someone is at their edge—even when they’re trying to hide it. It’s creating the psychological safety to stay. And it’s redefining success in a way that allows everyone to move forward.
I didn’t conquer the ice that day. But I stayed. I contributed. I was included.
I left understanding that leadership isn’t about getting everyone to move the same way—it’s about making sure everyone has a way to move forward.
0 Comments