Leadership Lessons from the Blue Jays Run

On the Edge of Victory — and Leadership  

When your team is close to winning, the pressure reveals habits that define real leadership. 

This week, I stood on the edge of possibility — along with my wife and daughters, decked out in Blue Jays caps and jerseys — watching the scoreboard, hoping for a historic win. The moment felt electric and slightly fragile: one play, one decision, one conversation could tip the outcome either way. 

In coaching leaders at Nexus, I see the same dynamic all the time. When a team is “in the running” — whether it’s for a project, a promotion, or a transformation — the space between success and setback is narrow. What matters then isn’t just skill, but how leaders respond under pressure. 

Are they steady when the stakes are high? Do they trust their team? Do they double down on what got them there, or panic and change course? Winning or losing, both outcomes teach powerful lessons. A win valid Leadership Lessons from the Blue Jays Run ates the process — great. A loss forces reflection, resetting what comes next. 

Here’s what I share with leaders: 

• Celebrate the lead, but don’t assume it’s over. 

• Lean into your team when the noise is loud. 

• Use pressure as a mirror — it reveals what your culture supports. 

Win or lose, if you’re in the arena and showing up, you’re building leadership momentum. And in the end, that’s what truly counts. 

 #LeadershipInSports #TeamCulture #BlueJays #ExecutiveCoaching #NexusCoachingPros