Great Leaders Learn to Bounce Back

In 1906, the Chicago Cubs had the best regular season in baseball history.
They won 116 games. Lost only 36.

Then they lost the World Series.
To the White Sox.
A team with 23 fewer wins.

Even the best lose.

Even the Best Teams Lose

Baseball teams play 162 games a year.
The great ones still lose 50 or 60 times.

The teams that go the distance aren’t the ones who avoid losing.
They’re the ones who bounce back faster.

That lesson applies far beyond baseball.
It’s a truth about resilience, performance, and leadership mindset.

Leadership Is About Recovery, Not Perfection

The same thing is true in leadership.

If you’re leading people, growing a business, or making high-stakes decisions, failure is part of the process.
Mistakes happen. Plans miss. Outcomes disappoint.

What matters isn’t avoiding failure — it’s how quickly you recover.

Strong leadership resilience isn’t about being flawless.
It’s about staying present, learning fast, and getting back in the game.

Learning to Shake It Off

This year, I coached my 12-year-old son Jovany’s baseball team.

We came up with a code word for strikeouts, errors, and tough moments.
The word was Corndog.

Say it.
Smile.
Get back in the game.

It was our way of practicing emotional resilience — letting go of the moment instead of replaying it.

And honestly?
I need that reminder too.

Bouncing Back From Failure as a Leader

I’ve had to learn how to shake off the misses in my own work.
To stop replaying what didn’t go well.
To let go faster so I can lead better.

Leadership requires the ability to:

• Recover from failure

• Regain clarity after disappointment

• Stay grounded under pressure

The leaders who last aren’t the ones who never miss.
They’re the ones who don’t stay down long.

Staying in the Game When It’s Hard

If you’re building something that matters —
growing a business, leading a team, showing up when it’s hard —
you’re going to lose sometimes.

That’s not a mindset problem.
That’s reality.

The real question is: can you stay in it?

Can you bounce back faster?
Can you reset your focus?
Can you lead with clarity even after a miss?

That’s the real work of leadership.

Becoming Better Losers

Let’s roll up our sleeves and do the real work of becoming better losers.

Not to settle.
But to recover faster.
To lead with a clearer head.
To return with presence, resilience, and a winner’s mindset.

Leadership resilience isn’t about avoiding failure —
it’s about recovering quickly and staying in the game when it matters most.

Corndog.

Let’s go.

Work with MCC Executive Coaches

 

Jamie Slingerland, MCC and Ruthie Slingerland, MCC are executive and leadership coaches based in Franklin, Tennessee, serving clients in Nashville and across the United States.

Jamie is a Master Certified Coach (MCC), the highest credential awarded by the International Coaching Federation and held by fewer than 4% of coaches worldwide. With more than 6,500 coaching hours and over 20 years of business leadership experience, he helps leaders strengthen executive presence, communication, and decision-making.

Ruthie Slingerland is also a Master Certified Coach (MCC) with over 4,000 coaching hours and more than a decade of leadership and coaching experience. She specializes in communication, leadership development, work-life balance, and personal growth, helping clients move forward with clarity and confidence.

Together, they work with executives, leaders, and coaches who want to grow their leadership capacity, strengthen relationships, and lead with greater presence and purpose.

Learn more about:

• Executive Coaching in Nashville and Franklin

• ICF Mentor Coaching

• Leadership Development Coaching

Freedom Life Journey – Executive & Leadership Coaching