This piece is a guest contribution from my long-time colleague Jorge Titinger.
Jorge reflects on growing up in South America where soccer functions as a shared cultural language, shaping approaches to competition, collaboration, and resilience. He played soccer at collegiate and professional levels, eventually representing Peru nationally.
Upon reviewing my concept of “Develop Court Sense” from Applied Wisdom for the Nonprofit Sector, Jorge recognized parallel leadership instincts. I define court sense as maintaining an “alert, action-oriented posture” — the capability to perceive current dynamics, forecast emerging situations, and respond dynamically.
Jorge draws parallels between soccer and basketball: both require entering with strategic preparation while remaining adaptable as opponents adjust and circumstances shift. Superior athletes anticipate the game’s trajectory before it fully materializes.
For nonprofit leaders, I’ve always stressed the importance of understanding environmental forces while maintaining clarity about organizational purpose. Without this foundation, reactive management replaces genuine leadership.
Jorge concludes that organizational success mirrors athletic performance: alignment around shared purpose combined with responsive flexibility produces desired outcomes. Field experiences reinforce principles observable in exceptional leadership practice.
- What are your own “field” experiences that have shaped your leadership?
- What lessons have you drawn from those experiences?