What started as a playful match between boys and girls turned into a powerful reflection on pressure, teamwork, and what it means to be human.

And here’s the twist:
As a Coach, I’m now working with more men than women.
Surprising? Maybe.
But more and more men are saying:
"I’m tired of carrying it all."
"I want to feel free."
"I don’t want to live like this anymore."
Men are ready to let go.
Women are still expected to hold it all.
Maybe it’s time to stop doing life alone — and start playing as a team.

I reflected on an old experience that made me rethink what it truly means to lead. From feeling demotivated by a lack of guidance to discovering how empowering others can transform not only teams but also my (our) own growth as a leader.

Have you ever felt that your comfort zone is a safe haven—until one day, it becomes a prison? Leaving the comfort zone is often portrayed as an instant ticket to transformation, but the reality is far more complex. It’s messy. It’s uncomfortable. And it’s downright terrifying at times.

This past weekend, I had my first ski outing of the season. Skiing is something I learned to do later in life, when I was over 30. At first, I didn’t feel entirely comfortable with it, but recently I’ve come to truly enjoy it. Now I feel more confident and secure, and I’ve realized something wonderful: when I ski, I focus entirely on what I’m doing at that moment. I feel my legs, I pay attention to the path, I feel the wind on my face, and I carefully observe the trees around me and the snow resting on their branches. It's a moment of total presence.

Trying to control life can be like trying to stop the waves of the ocean: exhausting and ultimately impossible. This metaphor came alive for me last year when I traveled with my family to Hawaii, and we decided to take surfing lessons. I’ve always loved the beach, but I’d never dared to get on a surfboard. I discovered then that surfing — far from being simple — is a liberating experience that teaches us to let go and flow with each wave, without resistance.

Going back to the origins of this concept, according to the University of Oxford, it was the sociologist Robert Merton (1948) who coined the term self-fulfilling prophecy to describe how a belief or expectation, even if false, can influence behavior in such a way that it becomes reality.  In other words, our expectations, whether positive or negative, guide our actions and those of others until they ultimately come true.

I have always been captivated by the wonders of nature, and my recent adventures in different National Parks have led me to confirm even more that the natural world holds invaluable lessons. This time I want to share some of those lessons that can help us improve our leadership and teamwork; lessons that, although they may seem obvious, we often do not practice.

Every time we go on a hike, my husband takes charge of the adventure.  He not only meticulously plans the route but is also prepared for any unexpected events, from encounters with wild animals to sudden weather changes.  The confidence he instills in me makes me feel secure and ready to enjoy the experience, even when the climb gets tough.  Thanks to his trust-based leadership, we can explore nature and create great family moments without worrying about potential challenges.

In my previous article, I mentioned how cognitive complexity can enhance decision-making and leadership by allowing us to analyze problems from multiple angles. In this article I want to share a way to develop this skill to enrich our communication and empathy in professional and personal contexts.

Have you ever thought about how the absence of light can reveal the most stunning views? When we camp in remote areas, my family and I marvel at the starry nights. This natural spectacle is in stark contrast to the limited view of the stars from the windows of our home in the city. And I can’t even imagine the view astronomers must have from space.