Not just about the game—a question of resilience and hope.
I love the game of football. Although, in recent seasons, it has been a source of repeated disappointments. Nonetheless, I continue to watch each match with renewed hope.
Every new season brings renewed hope—the hope to sing the victory songs again and celebrate the wins that remind us why we love the game.
In football, I find inspiration to deal with setbacks. Inspiration from the players who do not allow setbacks—injury, loss, red card, being benched—to deter them from coming back to play the next game. Inspiration from the players who use setbacks to perfect their play for the next game.
So, when I face a setback, I remind myself to be like football players. Even when they lose a match today, they look forward to the next match. For someday, they know they will win if they do not quit and if they continue to perfect their play.
Leadership is like that. Setbacks will come, but they don’t have to define the season. Progress may feel delayed, but purpose is never lost. Hope is what keeps us moving forward—even when the scoreboard says otherwise. (Ref: Galatians 6:9; Habakkuk 2:3)
Here’s the real question:
Are we letting setbacks dictate our next move—or are we showing up with renewed hope for the next “match”? Are we helping our teams see beyond today’s loss—or letting discouragement bench their potential? And as leaders, are we modelling resilience that says, “The season isn’t over yet”?
Call to Action:
Take a moment today. Identify one area where you’ve faced a setback. Recommit to showing up with hope and focus—even when results feel delayed. Share this reflection with your team. Remind them: setbacks aren’t final—they’re preparation for the next win.