From the Rink to the Boardroom
This summer, my daughter Willow Poppleton took on an internship at CDW’s Chicago office. It pushed her out of her comfort zone and sharpened her skills in communication, marketing, and sales. She didn’t just rise to the occasion. She crushed it. 💪
But the leadership story I want to tell starts on the ice.
In her second and third years at Lake Forest College, a nagging back injury kept her off the ice for most of the season. She showed up anyway. Every practice. Every game. Every dryland workout. When she did get to play, she was a playmaker.
Near the end of year three, a new coach was getting ready to pick captains. Willow didn’t think she had a shot. She’d barely played.
At her end-of-season meeting, she told the coach what she’d seen that year and how she thought the team could improve. She named who she’d pick for captain and assistant captain. Then she left.
She followed up with an email. She thanked the coach for the chance to share her thoughts, and said that whoever the captains were, she’d work with them to make the season a success.
She was named co-captain for her final year.
She didn’t campaign. She didn’t make it about herself. She showed up, told the truth, and put the team first. That’s leadership, on the ice or in the boardroom.
Do I smell a future CEO in the making? 🐻🏒
Proud mama bear moment right here. ❤️
🌟 What’s a moment that showed you what real leadership looks like? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments.
