When the Game is Canceled: How a Lightning Storm Taught Me a Lesson in Leadership

The South Florida sky was a vibrant blue over PGA National Resort, and after eight long years, I was finally back. Life—family, work, business—had put my golf clubs in storage, but I never stopped thinking about the game. A long-held dream brought my wife and me to South Florida, and my own personal goal was to get back on the course. I had days to prepare for this special day, a sponsored event at the home of the Cognizant Classic. I bought a new glove, picked up some fresh Titleists, and took a few practice swings, the muscle memory of my old eight handicap stirring within me.

PGA National Resort, Photo Credit Gus Calabrese

Arriving at the pro shop 45 minutes early, I was filled with a mix of nerves and pure joy. I hit some balls on the driving range and practiced my short game, feeling the familiar rhythm return. Soon, I was at the first tee, my foursome ready to play. The first three players hit their shots, and then it was my turn. The hole was a short par three. I pulled out my eight iron, stepped up, and teed up my brand-new ball. I took a practice swing, my body remembering the motion. As I drew the club back for my first swing in almost a decade, a shout sliced through the air: “Stop! We have to go back to the clubhouse. Lightning!”

Just like that, my triumphant return was over before it began. We waited for two hours, watching the sky flash and listening to the distant thunder, but the storm never let up. The day was canceled.

As I sat there, the initial sting of disappointment faded into a deep sense of reflection. This wasn’t just a canceled golf round; it was a potent, real-world lesson in leadership.

The Unforeseen Interruption: A Leader’s Reality

In leadership, just like on the golf course, you can meticulously plan and prepare, only to have forces completely out of your control derail everything. You can create a perfect strategy, build a great team, and set a flawless launch plan, but then the market shifts, a global event changes the landscape, or a competitor makes an unexpected move. My return to golf, fueled by years of anticipation, was stopped by an act of nature. My job was to accept that and move on. The crucial lesson for any leader isn’t to lament the disruption but to understand our role in navigating it.

Find Joy in the Process, Not Just the Outcome

My preparation, however small, was what I could control. I chose my equipment, practiced my swing, and got my mind right. As a leader, you have to focus on what you can control: building a strong team, refining your strategy, and making sure your processes are sound. While the game was called off, the joy of being back on that course and the camaraderie with my playing partners were a victory in themselves. A leader who celebrates the effort, the collaboration, and the learning—even when the end goal is delayed—builds a much more resilient team.

The Wisdom to Stop and the Resilience to Adapt

The decision to cancel the game was about safety. A good leader knows when to put the well-being of their team and the organization above immediate goals. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is pull the plug on a project, pivot to a new strategy, or simply wait out the storm. My disappointment was real, but it was overshadowed by a valuable perspective. The most important lesson wasn’t about the swing I didn’t take, but about the understanding I gained: the journey matters, and true leadership is knowing how to find your way even when the path disappears.

Leadership