My first job was when I was in middle school—umpiring girls’ softball. I had a mask, a little brush to sweep home plate, and a clicker to keep track of balls and strikes. There were no other umps on the field—just me. It’s a true first job when you either walk or ride a bike to get there. I rode my bike to my first game and was shaking with nerves. The mask was one part protection and one part device to hide that fear. We had a quick confab at home plate with the managers of the two teams. I told them if a ball was close, I was calling it a strike. (I was paid $10 a game, not by the hour, and was already grasping basic economics.) They said fine. I got to shout, “play ball!”

The season was mostly uneventful. I only recall one dust-up with a parent. She had six children and was confusing this junior softball league with high school competition. I wish I could tell you I threw her out. Instead, we had a quick conversation, and I had the guts (balls?) to ask her to go easier. She acquiesced and ended up greeting me after each game with helpful guidance and critiques.

My umpiring career lasted only one summer. Yet, the lessons learned behind home plate remained with me as I navigated my way around the business bases for the next mound of decades.

That experience taught me a few key leadership principles:

Confidence and Authority: As an ump, I had to make quick decisions and stand by them. In agency life I’ve worked to have confidence in the strategy and authority in my niche. Whether launching a new project or responding to feedback, being decisive helps build trust with the crowd.

Adaptability: In Michigan summers, rainouts happen. Similarly, in business, being able to adapt to changing circumstances, whether it’s market trends or unexpected challenges, is essential for long-term success.

Learning from Feedback: Despite the initial friction, I learned a lot from the overzealous parent who provided feedback. In marketing, actively seeking and learning from customer feedback (good and bad) can guide better decisions and improve strategies.

And yes, now I do wear glasses. Just as an umpire needs clear vision to make accurate calls, marketers need clear insights and vision to drive successful campaigns. I welcome your feedback from the bleachers.