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As the CEO of FranchiseFilming.com and an NCAA Division 1 football referee, I have realized how much both roles have shaped me into who I am today. You wouldn't think that refereeing soccer games and running a seven-figure business would have much in common, but learning I learned on the field that I played a big role in how I lead my team and run my company.
I have been officiating since I was 13 years old, officiating everything from local youth games to national bowls and televised NCAA tournament finals. I've had moments on the field where I've been yelled at, yelled at and forced to make split-second decisions that could change the course of the game. But that's where I learned some of the most important leadership lessons that I use every day Franchisefilming.com.
Here are some of those lessons, backed up by real-world experience I've had in both arbitration and business.
Stay cool in the heat of the moment
In football, especially in high-stakes games, the pressure can be intense. The players are fired up, the coaches are yelling and the fans are screaming. As a referee, I am expected stay composedno matter what is going on around me. If I lose my cool, everyone else will too. The same principle applies in business. When the going gets tough, your team is looking to you for stability.
I will never forget the day in 2016 when an employee challenged me in front of the entire team. She asked me, “What do you do all day?” – with an attitude that was disrespectful and unprofessional. I could have reacted with disappointment, but I didn't. Instead, I he remained calmwas later addressed in a one-on-one conversation, and that employee eventually left the company. After she left, the culture improved dramatically. Staying calm during that moment set a tone for my team that I wasn't going to get caught up in negativity – and that's something I've carried with me ever since.
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What you allow sets the standard
In football, if I don't deal with a reckless tackle early, the rest of the game can spiral out of control. Players push the limits and, before you know it, things get dangerous. What I have understood as a leader is that the same thing happens in business. If it allows conflicting behavior your valuesyou're basically telling your team it's okay to do the same.
I once had an employee who refused to follow our dress code or update our processes. I let it slide because he was talented, but what I didn't realize at the time was that I was setting a precedent for the rest of team. Before long, other employees began to ignore the processes and policies. It wasn't until I finally reached out to her that things got back on track. As a leader, you must be firm about what is acceptable – because what you allow sets the standard for everyone else.
You don't have to be tough to lead
One of the biggest misconceptions about head – and the implication – is that you have to be tough or aggressive to command respect. But I've found that's not the case. I don't shout at the players and I don't throw my weight on the pitch. Instead, I try to build rapport by talking to players early in the game, explaining my decisions. She sets the tone that I am approachable but firm.
In business, I have the same approach. I have worked for the bosses coming late, up and screaming at their employees. Created a toxic environment where everyone reflected that behavior. I promised myself that I would never run my company like that. You can lead with SENSITIVEkindness and understanding, while still setting clear boundaries. You don't have to be rude or dismissive to lead effectively.
First impressions matter
I have always believed that it matters the way you present. When I am arbitrating a NCAA match, I appear in purity, professional clothing. I greet the coaches with a smile and a handshake. It's not just about looking the part – it's about setting the tone from the start.
As a business owner, I see my first impressions as crucial. If I don't care about myself, how can I expect my team to take care of our business? I stay in shape as an arbitrator because I believe in leadership with example. If a CEO can't hold his own healthyHow can they expect to keep a healthy company? It's a small thing, but it's about sending the right message from the moment people meet you.
Don't be afraid to make tough decisions
One of the hardest parts of refereeing is making decisions that you know will be unpopular but are necessary for integrity of the game. I've had to take penalties at the last minute in big televised games and those decisions are not easy. But leadership requires making the tough calls, even when they aren't the most popular.
In 2020, I had to make one of the most difficult decisions of my business career. We were doing weddings and B2B work and I had to walk away from a $50,000 deal to fully settle in franchise. It hurt me, but I knew it was the right decision to long -term success of Franchisephilming. If the excavation does not feel a little painful, you are probably not really dedicated to him.
It's okay to be wrong
One of the biggest lessons I've learned as a referee is that it's okay to be error. There have been times when my whole crew has told me I made the wrong call and I've had to change my decision. It's humbling, but it's also necessary. No one gets it right 100% of the time, and admitting that doesn't make you a weaker leader – it makes you stronger.
In business, I've found that admitting when I'm wrong creates a culture where my team feels comfortable doing the same. When I myself up to my the mistakesit shows my team that it's okay to make mistakes and that the most important thing is how we grow from them. Leadership is not about being perfect; it's about being human.
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Your leadership sets the tone
The judiciary has taught me a lot about this head — lessons I apply every day as a business owner. From staying calm under pressure to making tough decisions and leading with sensitivity, my experiences on the soccer field have shaped the way I run my company.
Whether you're managing a football game or running a business, remember this: how you lead sets the tone for everyone around you. Lead with kindness, make the tough calls, and don't be afraid to admit when you're wrong. Yours Team—and your business—will be stronger because of it.
