Have I taken inventory yet?

A Note from the CEO

Chess puzzles are my favorite activity.

They force us to focus - to zero in on a moment in time and ask ourselves: What’s really going on here?

We’re not playing out a full game. We're sitting in a single position, analyzing its tension, its possibilities, its limits. It’s not about how fast you move - it's about how well you understand the board.

Oddly enough, some students groan when I pull out a puzzle.

“I just want to play a game!” they say.

Why? Because puzzles force us to slow down. They ask us to stop reacting and start reflecting.

They require us to make not the easiest move, but the best one.

And that starts with something surprisingly difficult: taking inventory.

Inventory? Yes.

What pieces are on the board?

How many points does each side have?

What role does each piece play in this specific position?

Which pieces are aligned? Which are vulnerable?

What’s your advantage? What’s your blind spot?

Puzzles remind us that we can’t make great decisions unless we know what we’re working with.

And that’s leadership in a nutshell.

Before you chart a bold strategy, you must know your people, your resources, your gaps, your strengths. You must evaluate what’s really on the table - not just what you wish was there.

That’s what inventory teaches us. It’s not passive. It’s powerful. It’s what separates reactive moves from strategic ones.

So whether you’re staring at a chess puzzle or sitting in a boardroom, ask yourself:

Have I taken inventory yet?

Because before the breakthrough comes the assessment.

And the better you assess, the better you lead.

Now, keep in mind - this is only the first step. So much more goes into puzzle analysis, but taking inventory is essential. Just like when you join a new organization, you’ve got to know your pieces before you plan your play. That’s your opening move.

xx,

Ashley Lynn Priore

Quote of the Week

“Tactics is knowing what to do when there is something to do. Strategy is knowing what to do when there is nothing to do.” - Savielly Tartakower, Grandmaster & famous witticist

Coming Up in the Pod

Therese Pitman on Building Belonging in Athletics & Creating a Path Beyond the Game

In this powerful episode of Queen Me, we sit down with Therese Pitman - Director of Student-Athlete Development at the University of Pittsburgh and a former Division I lacrosse player. From her time as a multi-sport high school athlete to leading one of the most impactful departments in college athletics, Therese shares how she turned sideline moments into stepping stones, why supporting athletes off the field matters more than ever, and how she’s shaping the future of inclusive, purpose-driven sports leadership.

Puzzle Solution:

Did you take inventory?!

Rxg7+, Bxg7

Qf7, Kh8

Rxh6+, Bxh6

Qh7# (checkmate!)