One of the hardest lessons in life — and leadership — is accepting that you’re not the center of every outcome. Things may go well without you being the primary reason. Things may fail without it being entirely your fault. Pride in your work requires perspective: understanding your role without exaggerating it.
Last night I watched a game in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, where college athletes spend their summers sharpening their skills, using wooden bats, and playing in front of scouts. Fewer than a hundred people filled the small‑town stands, but to the players, it was serious business. Precision pitching. Smart hitting. Hustle. Sportsmanship. Enthusiasm. Pride.
What stood out wasn’t the scoreboard — it was the mindset. No grandstanding. No strutting. Just athletes taking strikeouts, double plays, big hits, and tough moments in stride. They bounced back instantly. Everything was about the team. Everything was about doing your personal best every time. Learning, growing, building character, preparing for the future.
That’s the lesson for leaders. Give your people the chance to practice, sharpen their skills, and build confidence. Help them understand that pride comes from effort, improvement, and contribution — not from being the star of every play. When leaders create environments where people can grow, pride becomes a natural outcome.
Let your people be proud of what they accomplish individually and collectively today.
Harold Kushner (1935 – 2023) was an American rabbi, author (When Bad Things Happen to Good People), and lecturer.
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