You can learn a lot about leadership from a sideline. 

Especially when it’s falling apart in front of a stadium full of people. 

We love football games (NFL and IFL) often, and usually the energy between the coach and players feels respectful, even in the heat of competition. But this last game? It was different. 

The crowd was fired up, but the sideline was full of tension.  Players were yelling at the coach.  

Not passionate, constructive feedback.  It was straight-up frustration.  

And instead of steadying the team, the coach leaned into the chaos. 

It didn’t feel like they were discussing plays. It felt like they were just fighting. 

The game itself was exciting, but the lack of trust and communication made it tough to watch. 

It was a real-time reminder: leadership under pressure reveals more than it hides. 
When respect breaks down, connection goes with it. And what’s left is noise, loud, unproductive, and hard to recover from. 

True leadership shows up in how we respond, not react.

Fairness, consistency, and a willingness to listen? That’s where trust is built. 

Because in the end, how you lead matters just as much as what you lead.