How Do You Win?

A Note from the CEO

Last week, I was reading What It Takes to Become a Chess Master by Andrew Soltis (yes, even us chess coaches still love to study!) and one of his analyses really struck me. Soltis points out that most chess players fail to become great because they don’t understand what matters most in a given position. It’s true—not just in chess, but in life and leadership, too.

Chess is all about understanding priorities. There are a hundred different things happening on the board at any given moment. It’s easy to get distracted by potential moves, possibilities, or threats. But the key to success—the key to winning—is knowing what matters most right now. The same goes for leadership.

Take Tom Brady’s iconic sideline moment in Super Bowl LI (which, in my opinion, is the greatest Super Bowl of all time). The Patriots were down 28-3. It looked like it was over. But Brady didn’t panic. He didn’t focus on the score. He didn’t focus on the mistakes that had gotten them there. Instead, he focused on what mattered most at that moment: motivating his team and making them believe they were still in the game.

"We gotta play harder!" he told his teammates. He pushed them to give everything they had, to believe in the possibility of a comeback when it seemed impossible. In that moment, Brady wasn’t just the quarterback; he became their confidence boost, their fire, their spark. And they won.

The same is true for any leader. You’ll always have a hundred things coming at you—goals, deadlines, expectations, challenges—but the leaders who thrive are the ones who can step back and ask: What matters most right now? Chess teaches you how to focus on the right move, not every move. 

Leadership is about making that same choice—understanding the moment, cutting through the noise, and knowing what counts.

And that’s how you win. In chess, in leadership, in life.

Quote of the Week

“Things don’t correct themselves. You’ve got to go out there and work hard to correct them." – Tom Brady, the GOAT

Coming Up in the Pod

Jaylen Adams: Crafting Change – Poetry, Politics & Personal Growth

In this episode, poet, activist, and Columbia University student Jaylen Adams opens up about her journey as a young advocate blending creative writing with political science. Jaylen shares her experiences interning with high-profile politicians, working with nonprofits, and navigating personal growth while striving to make a difference.

Puzzle Solution: Just because we are down, doesn’t mean it is over!

h6+

Kf5, g6+

Kxf6, Qd6# (and that is mate!)