1 Glove + 1 Jersey = An Inspiring Career Lesson

Soccer is life these days??

At a recent Orlando City Soccer game, my son stood at the players’ tunnel, surrounded by eager fans, just like him! The goal? To walk away with something special - a few signatures, a jersey, or just a moment with one of his favorite players.

The players were warming up on the field, and my son was all in; cheering words of encouragement and soaking up the energy ahead of the game. Suddenly, as the goalie headed back to the locker room, my son scored big: a glove. Yes, just one glove.

I sat there, amazed, wondering,?how did he get noticed?

But that wasn’t the end of it. By halftime, my son was back at the front row, just as engaged and determined as before. And then it happened again, this time, he scored a player’s jersey. I couldn’t believe it. Two incredible moments in one night.

When he returned to his seat, I couldn’t resist asking, “What’s your secret?”

His answer was simply profound: “Being prepared, showing up every time, and taking that extra step to get noticed - that’s how you stand out.”

This wasn’t just luck. My son had come with a plan. He shared with me how he’d made a sign in Spanish that read,?“Gallese, may I have your gloves?”?It wasn’t fancy, but it stood out. He explained how he had watched other kids succeed in the past, learned from their efforts, and showed up that night ready to make his move.

His thoughtful approach and persistence paid off, and it reminded me of an important career and leadership lesson. Leadership isn’t about commanding attention; it’s about being intentional, and inspiring others through thoughtful actions.

Career growth works the same way. It’s not about showing up once and hoping for the best. It’s about consistently showing up, learning from every experience, and finding creative ways to make an impact. But here’s the key: it also requires stepping outside your comfort zone.

Think about it from the story with my son - making a sign in another language, putting himself out there, and holding that sign high in a crowd wasn’t easy. He knew he had to try something new to get noticed. The same is true for your career.

Growth happens when you push beyond what feels safe or easy. Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, saying yes to a challenging project, or learning a new skill, those moments of discomfort are where real opportunities lie.

So, during National Career Development Month, ask yourself: What’s one bold move I can make to step outside my comfort zone? How can I show up with intention, persistence, and courage?

Your big moment might be just outside your comfort zone, so take that step, and you might walk away with more than you ever imagined!

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