I didn’t expect to get business insights from a group of five-year-olds in shin guards, but here we are.
If you’ve ever watched kids play soccer, you know the chaos. It’s not soccer, it’s a swarm of tiny humans chasing a ball like their lives depend on it, completely unaware that things like “passing” or “positions” even exist.
But somehow, in between the missed goals, accidental own-goals, and dramatic flops that would make a professional footballer jealous, I started seeing some real lessons about leadership.
Because, honestly? Watching them play reminded me of how people act in business, content creation, and even gaming.
And if we’re paying attention, we can learn a lot from them.
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Lesson #1: Most People Chase the Ball
In kids’ soccer, there’s no strategy, just a chaotic blob of children all going after the ball at once. Nobody thinks about spacing, passing, or teamwork; they just run straight at whatever seems important.
And tell me that’s not exactly what happens in business.
- People chase trends instead of thinking long-term.
- They jump into side hustles without a plan.
- They copy whatever’s working for someone else, without considering if it actually works for them.
Good leaders and good players learn to see the bigger picture.
Instead of chasing the ball mindlessly, they position themselves where they need to be. Check out What I’m Building at ChannlerG: My Future Plans and Visions.
Lesson #2: You Have to Play Your Position
One of the biggest struggles in kids’ soccer? Getting them to stay in their positions.
Because let’s be real, nobody wants to be the defender when there’s a ball to chase.
But in leadership (and life), you can’t just do everything yourself.
- If you’re the coach (or business owner), your job isn’t to run after the ball, it’s to guide the team.
- If you’re the defender, you don’t abandon your role just because the action looks more exciting somewhere else.
- If you’re building a business, you have to play to your strengths instead of trying to do everything all at once.
A great leader knows when to step in, when to trust the team, and when to stay in their lane. Sometimes you need to change positions. Which is exactly why I created the Reset & Rewire Roadmap.
Lesson #3: Mistakes Happen, Move On Quickly
If you want to see pure devastation, watch a five-year-old miss a goal.
They act like their entire career is over, and honestly, I get it.
Because in real life, we do the same thing.
- We overthink our failures.
- We let one mistake kill our momentum.
- We focus on what went wrong instead of just playing the next game.
But the best players (and the best leaders)? They shake it off and keep playing.
You missed a deal? Move on.
Your content flopped? Make a better one.
You lost a match? Play another.
In leadership, business, and even gaming, the ability to bounce back fast is what separates the great from the average. And in order to bounce back fast, you have to have something to bounce back to. (Check out Atomic Habits and Make Your Bed to plan your next bounce back.)
Lesson #4: Leadership is About Encouragement, Not Just Strategy
One thing I’ve learned coaching my kids from the sidelines?
You can’t just yell at them to do better.
They don’t need some overcomplicated lecture on tactics; they need someone to encourage them, keep them engaged, and remind them why they’re playing in the first place.
And honestly? That’s leadership.
- People don’t need a boss; they need a coach.
- Good leadership is about getting people excited to show up.
- It’s about motivating them to be better, not just telling them what they did wrong.
In my business, my gaming community, and my real estate team, I try to keep this in mind.
Because at the end of the day, people don’t follow orders; they follow energy.
Inspiring your team starts with understanding people. I love Dare To Lead for actionable leadership insights.
Lesson #5: It’s Supposed to Be Fun
The best players? The best teams? The best leaders?
They enjoy what they’re doing.
They don’t just play to win, they play because they love it.
And the second a five-year-old stops having fun, the game is over.
So whether it’s business, gaming, or life, I remind myself:
- If it stops being fun, it’s time to rethink what I’m doing.
- If I feel burned out, I need to find the fun again.
- If I’m not enjoying the game, I’m probably playing it wrong.
Final Thoughts: Why This Matters Beyond the Soccer Field
Watching our kids play soccer isn’t just a weekend activity; it’s a masterclass in leadership, business, and self-improvement.
Whether you’re on a soccer field, in a meeting, or grinding your way through ranked matches:
- Most people just chase the ball. Be the one who plays with strategy.
- Know your role and don’t try to do everything yourself.
- Shake off mistakes and get back in the game.
- Encourage, don’t just command.
- And most importantly, have fun.
That’s what I’m taking from watching my kids play.
And honestly? I think I’m a better leader because of it.