Leadership Without a Playbook

Looking back on Where The Trails Lead, I write about adventures, relationships, and leadership, but if I’m honest, the throughline has always been simpler, and deeper....creating opportunities for young people.

In 2019, I spent a week in Wenchang, China with Denny Chan, Chairman of the Board of a rural school. What began as a visit quickly turned into full immersion. Denny put me to work, teaching in classrooms during the day and introducing rugby in physical education classes to students who had never seen the game before.

Language was a barrier. Culture was different. But learning wasn’t.

In the classroom, curiosity did the heavy lifting. On the field, learning how to play rugby became a shared language. Watching students discover their own confidence, both academically and physically, was a powerful reminder that opportunity often matters more than circumstance.

Leadership isn’t always about titles or strategy decks. Sometimes it’s about showing up, sharing what you know, and believing in young people before they believe in themselves.

That week in Wenchang, and the many schools I have visited around the world, still stays with me, and continues to shape how I think about leadership, education, and impact. 

If you’re drawn to the idea that the trail can be a teacher, you might enjoy the journey my book invites. Where The Trails Lead is available on Amazon and Indigo, as well as Happenstance Books & Yarn in Lakefield, Ontario. https://lnkd.in/e94Zcyqv

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