Calling the Shots: A Year Later, the Leadership Lessons Still Hold

A year ago, I delivered one of the most personal and unexpected keynotes of my career.

“Calling the Shots: Leadership Lessons from the Pool Table” wasn’t just a story about learning to play competitive pool. The game taught me more than just technique; it revealed patterns I’ve seen in my own leadership journey and in the leaders I’ve coached.

It was about:

  • How to navigate pressure
  • How to recover after setbacks
  • How to play the long game
  • How to think three shots ahead in your leadership journey

And the response from the audience (both in person and online) reminded me that these aren’t just sports metaphors.
They’re real leadership challenges that people live every day.

What the Pool Table Taught Me About Leadership

When I first stepped into a Texas bar to play pool, I was out of my element. I was new. I missed easy shots. I stood out.

But what began as a personal experiment turned into a deep well of professional insight.
Because leadership, like pool, requires:

  • Precision
  • Patience
  • Strategic positioning
  • And sometimes, the courage to take the shot even when the angle isn’t perfect

Through that journey, I developed five core lessons, all of which I shared in that keynote. They’re still at the center of how I think about leadership today. The game taught me more than just technique; it revealed patterns I’ve seen in my own leadership journey and in the leaders I’ve coached. Sometimes, the best place to relearn those lessons is from the most unexpected places, like a pool table.

 What Audiences Took Away

During and after the keynote, attendees were invited to reflect on powerful, personal questions:

  • Are you playing a game of defense or offense in life?
  • What is the price of ignoring everyday excellence?
  • How would strategic play transform your approach to leadership?

These questions weren’t hypothetical. They sparked real conversations and led to deeper coaching opportunities in the months that followed. And from what I continue to hear, the message stuck.

A Year Later: Why It Still Matters

So why revisit this message now?

Because leadership hasn’t gotten easier. If anything, the world is faster, louder, and more unpredictable than it was a year ago.
The need for clear, mindful, strategic leadership is more urgent than ever.

And sometimes the best place to relearn those lessons isn’t a boardroom there, it’s a pool table.

Want to Bring “Calling the Shots” to Your Audience?

Whether you’re planning a leadership retreat, an HR summit, or a women’s leadership event, this keynote continues to resonate with teams across industries.

With a mix of humor, storytelling, and practical tools, I walk attendees through what it really takes to lead with strategy, grit, and grace – especially when the game changes.

Explore the full keynote description and audience takeaways here.

This blog post was inspired by:
LinkedIn Post – “Calling the Shots: Leadership Lessons from the Game of Pool”