Lessons in Leadership: What Veterans and Pickleball Teach Us About Resilience and Teamwork

This Veterans Day, I’m reflecting on the incredible qualities that veterans bring into everything they do, from service to sports to leadership. As a military veteran myself, with 8 years in the Air Force, I can tell you that the values learned through service—resilience, adaptability, teamwork—are skills that last a lifetime. And, as I’ve seen on the pickleball court, those same qualities play a huge role in success, both in sports and in life.

Here’s a look at some of the leadership lessons veterans and pickleball players share—and how these values can make us stronger leaders, better teammates, and more resilient people.

1. Resilience: Bouncing Back and Moving Forward

In the Air Force, resilience wasn’t just a concept; it was essential. Whether it was tackling tough assignments or adjusting to constant change, learning to bounce back became second nature. In pickleball, it’s no different. Sometimes, you miss a shot you should have made, or you lose a close game. But in both cases, success comes down to one thing: the ability to reset and keep moving forward.

Veterans know setbacks are part of the journey, and that true growth comes from learning, adjusting, and bouncing back. On the court, this mindset keeps you from getting hung up on a missed shot. In leadership, it means seeing every obstacle as a chance to get stronger.

Leadership takeaway: Embrace resilience. On the court and in life, treat every challenge as a chance to learn. The more we bounce back, the better we get.

2. Adaptability: Reading the Court and Responding to Change

Service taught me adaptability—there were always new situations to navigate, and plans could change at a moment’s notice. In pickleball, you’re constantly reading the court, responding to your opponent, and adjusting your strategy. Veterans are experts at staying calm and flexible, no matter what’s thrown at them, and that skill is crucial in pickleball and in leadership.

When leading a team, adaptability means staying open to new ideas and embracing unexpected shifts with confidence. On the pickleball court, it means adjusting your approach to outsmart your opponent and stay a step ahead.

Leadership takeaway: Embrace flexibility and stay open to change. Adaptability is about handling whatever comes your way, in sports, leadership, or life.

3. Teamwork: Trusting and Supporting Each Other

In the military, teamwork is everything. You rely on the people around you to get through challenging situations, and you know that every person plays a crucial role in the mission. In pickleball doubles, it’s the same idea: each player has to trust their partner, cover their side of the court, and support each other.

Good leadership is about building that same level of trust. It’s about recognizing each person’s strengths and helping everyone work together toward a shared goal. On the pickleball court and in leadership, strong teamwork creates an unbreakable bond.

Leadership takeaway: Foster trust and support within your team. True teamwork isn’t just about working side-by-side; it’s about lifting each other up, whether it’s on the court or in the office.

4. Perseverance: Staying the Course with Purpose

One thing the Air Force taught me is the value of perseverance—sticking with something because you believe in it. Veterans understand this deeply, and it’s a trait that shows up in everything they do. On the pickleball court, perseverance is the difference between players who give up after a tough rally and those who stay focused on the next point.

In leadership, perseverance means holding steady to your purpose and keeping your team motivated, even when the path isn’t easy. It’s about staying committed to the goal and pushing through, one step at a time.

Leadership takeaway: Embrace perseverance. Whether you’re fighting for a win on the court or pushing through a tough project, staying the course with purpose keeps you moving forward.

Honoring Veterans by Living These Values

This Veterans Day, let’s honor those who’ve served by recognizing the values they bring to all areas of life, from sports to leadership. Veterans show us the power of resilience, adaptability, teamwork, and perseverance, and these values can inspire us every day.

As a veteran, I’m proud to see these qualities show up in the pickleball community. So, the next time you step onto the court, think about the strength and courage veterans bring to everything they do. Take a page from their playbook, and bring resilience, teamwork, and purpose to every shot. By doing so, we not only play better—we honor those who’ve served.

To all veterans: thank you for your service, your strength, and the values you continue to inspire in us all.