The Champion Leader

Chapter 2You (Championship Leadership Starts with Mastering Self‐Awareness)

“I think self‐awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion.”

—Billie Jean King

“You'll know the difference.”

Four of the most meaningful words I've ever heard.

During my college years, I served as the sports director of the NPR‐member radio station that doubled as our campus radio station. It was a hands‐on experience unmatched for any 18–22‐year‐old student, calling play‐by‐play for college sports games, doling out assignments, and elevating my fellow students to do great work. One of the best parts of the job was the road trips. We'd nosh on tasty food, meet interesting people, and share hilarious stories. We traveled around the country to broadcast road games and be the eyes and ears for thousands of people listening in on the radio and Internet. One road trip in particular will always hold a special place in my memory.

We were traveling back from a lacrosse game played at Penn State University. I was replaying the game broadcast in my mind, as I usually did, thinking of what went well and what I could've done better. I felt I was doing a pretty good job broadcasting the games. I'd often get kind praise from my dad, who always found a way to tune in. But I figured, That's my dad. I wanted to know what my manager, and oftentimes broadcast partner, thought. He was the general manager of the radio station, a veteran of NPR and college broadcasting, and an incredibly talented ...