Leadership Lessons (and an epic fail) from the US Open
Maybe as a way to quell my guilt for watching SO MUCH TENNIS this weekend, a few reflections on leadership lessons from the US Open.
Taylor Townsend - Grace under fire
Her opponent was… let’s just say, not on her best behavior. Taylor didn’t flinch. She rose above, kept her cool, and showed us that grace isn’t weakness…it is a HUGE strength.
Leaders: when the room is hot, be the one who steadies it.
Tommy Paul - 2 legit 2 quit
Thursday night, he had match point in straight sets. Easy win, right? Nope…he got dragged into 2 more sets, 2 additional hours and didn’t finish until 2am. He stayed in it, exhausted but unbroken.
That’s leadership… when the project drags on, the client changes course, or the board gets restless: you still show up swinging.
Alexander Bublik - Care > ego
After his own five-set win (ironically against Tommy), instead of basking in glory, Bublik used his airtime to express concern for his opponent and for Ben Shelton, who had both been injured during play.
Imagine if more leaders used their platform to look out for others instead of themselves.
Coco Gauff - Vulnerability is power
Coco had been struggling with her serve. So, she switched coaches the week before the Open, setting up a massive change right before a Major. Mid-match, when her serve was again faltering and her opponent went off for a medical break, Coco asked the umpire for balls and she used the time to practice her serve, while the whole world watched.
Leaders: asking for help isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.
Venus & Novak – Never stop learning
Venus, at 45, is still taking sets off seeded players in singles and making a run in doubles. Novak, at 38, is chasing his 25th Grand Slam, beating players literally half his age. They both are still here by learning, adapting and growing.
The leaders who stay curious, evolve and grow are the ones who stay relevant.
And then there’s the epic fail…
A fan in the stands who happened to be a CEO, snatched a signed hat from a kid after Kamil Majchrzak’s win. As if that weren’t bad enough, he doubled down, threatening lawsuits against critics and dismissing his actions with a flippant: “it’s only a hat.”
Entitlement + arrogance + defensiveness = career-limiting combo.
And yes, the internet never forgets.
Leadership is a lot like tennis…grace, grit, care, vulnerability, and a commitment to keep learning will keep you in the game.
And for the love of Federer…don’t steal from a kid, and call it leadership.
…not playing much tennis these days – whose up for some Pickle??!
