Hello beautiful and kind people!

Ever feel like history is repeating itself?

I can’t help but notice how the isolation, fear, and uncertainty we're experiencing today mirror the early days of the Covid pandemic. The new administration has stirred up a similar storm of rumors, misinformation, and a pervasive sense of unease—challenges that many of us still vividly remember from those uncertain times.

Like you, I’ve felt the impact of these turbulent moments both at work and in my personal life. Amid the chaos, I’ve come to realize that our strength lies in connection and the power of a healthy routine. Whether it's carving out time for exercise, embracing mindfulness, or simply establishing daily habits that nurture mental and physical well-being, these routines are more than just habits—they’re lifelines.

Here are a few practices that have helped me stay grounded recently:

• Daily Movement: Even a short walk can make a huge difference.

• Mindfulness & Meditation: Taking a few minutes to breathe can reset your perspective.

• Routine & Structure: Establishing a consistent daily schedule can alleviate stress and foster stability.

• Community Engagement: Sharing experiences and supporting one another transforms isolation into collective strength.

How are you navigating these challenges?

What healthy routines have you adopted to support your mental and physical well-being during these uncertain times? I invite you to share your insights and join the conversation. Let’s build a community that not only acknowledges the difficulties of our current landscape but also celebrates the small, daily actions that make us resilient.

Together, we can turn uncertainty into opportunity and fear into strength.

And, as the BEATLES taught us: “ I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS”

Keep Smiling!

Ask for Help

I am HERE!

In reality, many of them do not all have the skills or the experience to navigate these choppy waters.

The NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era and the Transfer Portal have completely upended the role of coach and player.

The professionalization of college sports has transformed everything. What used to be about scholarships and 4-year commitments is now an open talent market with top players commanding millions of $$$ in NIL payments

Now, Big Private Equity firms are researching taking  stakes in the major conferences, like the Big 10 and the SEC.

Sound familiar? Welcome to the new world of talent management - whether you're in sports or business.

It strikes me that college sport coaches and corporate executives utilize many of the same skills now.

Here's what's fascinating about this parallel:

1. The "commitment" has changed

• Athletes now think like professionals

• Transfer portal = LinkedIn "Open to Work"

• Loyalty is earned, not expected

2. Compensation is transparent 

• NIL deals are public knowledge 

• Market rates are discussed openly 

• Performance directly impacts earning potential

3. Leadership requires new skills 

• Coaches balance individual brands with team goals

• Managing diverse compensation levels 

• Building culture despite constant change

The biggest shift? 

Both coaches and CEOs must:

• Create environments worth staying in

• Develop talent while accepting shorter tenures 

• Build team identity despite constant change

Gone are the days of "playing for the name on the front of the jersey." Now it's about aligning personal brands with team success. Sounds exactly like modern corporate leadership, doesn't it? What fascinates me most: The principles of authentic leadership matter more than ever in both worlds.

Sarah McBride

Sarah grew up in Wilmington and has been advocating for her community for decades. She worked for former Governor Jack Markell, the late Attorney General Beau Biden, and served in the Obama-Biden White House.  Most recently, she served as the national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ equal rights organization.

Before she was elected to the State Senate, Sarah worked as an advocate to deliver critical wins across Delaware, leading the successful effort to pass landmark non-discrimination protections in Delaware and championing legislation that protects vulnerable youth from child abuse.

For her work and advocacy, former Gov. Markell awarded McBride the Order of the First State, the state’s highest civilian honor.

As a state senator, McBride has passed legislation expanding access to health care, requiring mental health and media literacy education in public schools, promoting green technologies, preventing lead poisoning in youth, and protecting workers and families. In just her first term, McBride passed the landmark Healthy Delaware Families Act, providing paid family and medical leave to workers throughout the First State and marking the largest expansion of Delaware's social safety net in decades.

She currently serves as chair of the Senate Health & Social Services Committee and is a member of the Senate’s Judiciary Committee, Education Committee, Banking, Business, Insurance, and Technology Committee, and Executive Committee.

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I hope you enjoyed this week’s issue. Our subscriber base continues to grow and I am grateful for your time and attention. As we grow, I have added in new tools ( like the audio version of this newsletter) and I continue to push myself to bring you more insights, information, and hopefully inspiration.

Please contact me anytime and share your comments and suggestions.

Please encourage other people in your network to subscribe to this space.

We are all in this together.

With Hope and Thanks,

Jim