Get Back Up: A Leadership Lesson from the Track
When I was in middle school, I joined the track team and quickly picked up the hurdles. My leaping skills from basketball translated well, and I loved the technical side of the 110m race. The pursuit of seamless steps and that perfect snap over each hurdle pushed me to improve. During my 8th grade year, I won every single hurdle race I ran.
Fast forward to high school and everything changed.
I was now racing against older, taller, faster athletes. The hurdles were also higher moving from 30” to 39” (past my belly button at the time). I’ll never forget my first race as a freshman. I cleared the first hurdle… and then fell three times over the next nine. I crossed the finish line long after everyone else, greeted by a few pity claps from the crowd.
Anthony running hurdles early on in high school
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I have to give my parents credit for why I didn’t walk off the track that day. They had instilled in me the value of following through and not quitting, even when things felt hard or humiliating.
That race lit a fire in me. I brought two hurdles home the next week - one in the backyard for full speed reps and one in my bedroom for standing drills. I practiced before bed, first thing in the morning, and during free time. I got faster, more confident, and eventually earned a spot on varsity that year, running times faster than some of the seniors.
Anthony running a race after putting intention in to practice and improvement
It’s inevitable in life that when we chase something that stretches us, we’re going to fall. The real question is: What do you do when that happens?
In those moments of failure, frustration, or embarrassment, do you quit and walk away? Or do you get back up, dust yourself off, and commit to coming back stronger?
As leaders, perseverance isn’t optional, it’s essential. Our teams don’t just watch how we lead when things are going well. They watch how we respond when we stumble. Your willingness to get back up sends a signal about what’s expected, accepted, and possible.
And just as important: when others fall, great leaders don’t shame them, they help them rise. We create space for recovery, for learning, and for comebacks. That’s how resilience spreads across a culture.
And I’ve found that when I’m not falling down… sometimes it’s because I’m playing it too safe.
That’s when I have to ask:
Are my goals big enough? Am I stretching myself, or am I hiding in comfort?
Falling doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’re in motion.
So keep moving. And when you fall, get back up.
Keep MIBE-ing!
Anthony Lambatos
Founder, MIBE Hospitality Culture Training
Owner, Footers Catering
P.S. Don’t just play it safe. Join us at our MIBE Heart Leadership Workshop in August.
Last call for the MIBE Workshop. Register Now!
