Alarice's Authentic Journeys

Some of my greatest leadership lessons have come from the playing on the field. I used to live and breath soccer – ask any of my childhood friends, and they will tell you the same.

Now, as a parent, I get to watch my children play soccer, and I am reminded how much the game mirrors life and business. The excitement before a game, the teamwork on the field, the resilience after a tough loss — it’s all there.

Soccer, at its core, is a study in motivation, inspiration, and the pursuit of success — just like the world we navigate at work every day.

1. Motivation: Showing Up, Even When It’s Tough

As we enter the autumn months, there are days when the air is cold, and no one feels like running or doing soccer drills. But my kids show up — cleats laced, ready to play. They may grumble at first, but they remember that with practice, they can learn and improve their skills (and also play with their friends and teammates).

Motivation in business often works the same way. We don’t always wake up feeling ready to perform. The key is showing up anyway — taking the first step, putting in the work, trusting that momentum will follow.

Lesson: Motivation grows through action. Whether on the field or in business, the hardest part is often just getting started.

2. Inspiration: Playing for Each Other

While watching my daughter play in her soccer game this past weekend, I saw her intentionally look for another teammate to pass to who she saw had not really touched the ball at all. So she set in motion a plan with her other teammate to make sure that whoever got the ball next would pass it to their teammate. The look on all three of their faces was priceless when their teammate finally got the ball. They celebrated and high-fived each other. It was pure, unfiltered joy. They were playing not just for themselves, but for each other.

That same sense of connection is what fuels inspiration at work. When teams believe in one another, when they feel part of something bigger than themselves, energy and creativity flow. Inspiration isn’t a solo act — it’s contagious.

Lesson: Inspire through connection. People give their best when they feel seen, supported, and part of something meaningful.

3. Success: Adapting to the Play

Every game unfolds differently. Sometimes the other team is faster. Sometimes the strategy doesn’t work. For instance, during one of my daughter’s games, the opponent scored a couple of goals on her team. They read the field, changed tactics, and stayed focused on what they could control – their passing, creating open spaces and looking for their teammates to retain possession of the ball. The team didn’t get stuck or flustered – they answered by scoring a goal.

Business is much the same. Markets shift, priorities change, and unexpected challenges appear. Success isn’t about sticking rigidly to the plan — it’s about staying flexible while keeping your eyes on the goal.

Lesson: Success belongs to the adaptable. The ability to pivot and persevere separates those who win once from those who keep winning.

4. The Bigger Picture: Playing the Long Game

As we near the end of the soccer season, it’s not just about wins or losses — it’s about growth. I see how my children have developed their skills, their confidence, and their teamwork. The joy isn’t in the scoreboard (though some wins don’t hurt) – it’s in seeing how much they’ve learned along the way. For each of my children, their coaches have instilled this mindset of personal growth, which I really appreciate as a parent.

It’s the same in leadership. Success comes from building something that lasts — a culture of learning, collaboration, and belief. Seeing the success of the teams I have built and the leaders who I coached is evidence of the perseverance, purpose and passion I put into the long game of building highly motivated teams and inspirational leaders.

Lesson: Focus on development, not just results. The leaders who play the long game invest in people — just like great coaches invest in players.

Final Whistle: Lessons from the Sidelines

Watching my children play soccer has become a powerful reminder that success in business, as in life, isn’t about being the fastest or the flashiest. It’s about teamwork, resilience, and heart.

When we show up with purpose, support one another, adapt to change, and focus on growth, we don’t just win games — we build something far more lasting: confidence, connection, and character.

Because in the end, whether on the field or in business, the most rewarding victories come from playing — and growing — together.