Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit

Brown introduces two foundational leadership lessons from former professional soccer player Abby Wambach’s book Wolfpack, drawing on Wambach’s experiences as a decorated soccer champion and activist. Both lessons challenge conventional notions of leadership by emphasizing that true leadership requires humility, interconnection, and commitment to collective success rather than individual achievement.

The first lesson concerns leading from the bench. Wambach recounts accepting a reserve role during the 2015 Women’s World Cup—the final tournament of her career—despite being one of the most prolific scorers in international soccer history. Rather than viewing this benching as diminishment, Wambach reframed it as an opportunity to lead differently. By celebrating her teammates, providing encouragement, and remaining mentally engaged throughout the tournament, she discovered that leadership extends beyond formal positions or starting roles. Brown emphasizes that individuals will inevitably experience moments of being “benched”—passed over for promotion, falling ill, losing elections, or feeling displaced in relationships. The critical distinction, Wambach argues, is that disappointment about these situations is natural, but surrendering one’s leadership capacity is not acceptable. Brown contextualizes this idea within a broader redefinition of leadership: It is not a title conferred by institutions but an inherent power that all individuals possess and can exercise in everyday acts such as volunteering, offering encouragement, caring for oneself and others, or seeking therapy.