As the newly appointed captain of Team Ontario’s boxing team, I faced a challenge in adapting my leadership approach. Boxing is inherently an individual sport, so my previous approach had been highly self-focused, revolving around my own goals and training. Transitioning into a team leadership role was different because it meant supporting teammates who each had unique goals, strengths, and weaknesses. In one instance, a younger boxer on our team was struggling with confidence ahead of a significant competition. While I didn’t need to offer technical advice on boxing, I recognized the value of boosting morale. By sharing my own experiences with self-doubt and explaining how I work through it, I was able to connect with and support him. This experience underscored that leadership can sometimes mean showing vulnerability and being relatable rather than showcasing superiority.

My leadership vision now emphasizes inclusivity, growth, and empowerment, but I also understand the reality of balancing these ideals with effective decision-making. For instance, during my internship, I found myself in situations where quick decisions had to be made. Sales and trading is a high-stakes, time-sensitive environment, and there were moments when I didn’t have the luxury of consulting everyone on the desk. This often conflicted with my desire to include others’ perspectives, but I learned that transparency helped mitigate this conflict. By openly explaining the decisions I made and the rationale behind them, I was able to maintain trust and respect from colleagues. This experience taught me that while including others’ views is essential to my leadership, there are times when decisive action is necessary, and transparency can bridge that gap.

Balancing my values around growth and empowerment is also something I’ve encountered as team captain. On one hand, I want each member to feel they have the freedom to pursue their unique path and improve at their own pace. On the other hand, I sometimes need to push them toward uncomfortable but valuable training sessions or approaches that could lead to breakthroughs. For example, our team recently had a grueling endurance session planned, and a few members were initially resistant. They felt it wasn’t essential to their specific roles. I had to consider whether pushing them into something challenging aligned with my vision of empowerment or conflicted with it. After some reflection, I framed the session as an opportunity to improve resilience, which is vital in boxing. By positioning it as a long-term benefit rather than an obligation, I could support their growth while also holding true to my role as captain. Moments like these reinforce my understanding that leadership means balancing support with challenge.