Leaders Believe

There are many mantras of transformative leaders but none more powerful than this: Leaders Believe. They believe in their mission, their purpose, and their people. And they have enough belief--not just for themselves--but for every person in their organization. That belief is palpable and immediately recognizable.

As I write this, we are in the middle of the World Series. I cannot imagine the pressure a pitcher or a batter must feel when it is one-on-one for the whole world to see in the most important game of the year. Even after a home run, the pitcher believes. Even after a strikeout, the batter believes. Without that belief, they could not function.

And this ties to one of my favorite baseball stories. In 2023, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner was struggling—badly. More specifically, he was stinking up the place. Turner was one of the worst-performing qualified hitters in MLB, despite being an All-Star-caliber shortstop signed to an 11-year, $300 million contract. The boos were loud and unrelenting. Then Jon McCann—known as “The Philly Captain” on his popular YouTube and Instagram channels—challenged the city to do something radical: cheer him instead. McCann’s idea was simple but subversive. Instead of constantly booing and punishing failure, what if they fueled a comeback with faith? What would happen if, when Turner came to bat, they gave him a standing ovation and believed?

What if they fueled a comeback with faith?

So, they did. When Turner stepped up to bat, the crowd stood and cheered like they had just won the World Series. Instead of boos, calls of love and support rained down on the struggling batter. What followed became known as “The Turnaround.” Turner’s performance improved dramatically. He went from one of the worst hitters in baseball to one of the best almost overnight. The team surged. The fans felt united again. A season that had been slipping away turned into something unforgettable.*

In leadership, we often assume toughness is the key to results—set high expectations, demand accountability, call out mistakes. But Jon McCann reminds us that people rarely rise through criticism alone. They rise through belief. Their struggling baseball superstar didn’t need more pressure; he needed belief. And the same is true in teams, organizations, and communities everywhere.

People rarely rise through criticism alone. They rise through belief.

Believing isn’t about ignoring failure—it’s about reframing it. It’s saying, “We see your struggle, and we still believe in you.” That small act can open the door to resilience and creativity in ways correction or disdain never could. Neuroscience backs this up: when people feel supported, their brains literally perform better—more flexible thinking, stronger motivation, faster recovery from setbacks.

Believing isn’t about ignoring failure—it’s about reframing it.

Interestingly, McCann, the fan who sparked it all, had his own struggles. His act of cheering wasn’t just for Turner—it was for himself, and for anyone who’s ever needed someone to believe in them at their lowest point.

That’s leadership at its best. Not command-and-control. Not “never let them see you sweat.” Courageous belief—especially when things aren’t going well—changes things. It can shift a team from fear to confidence, from shame to purpose. It can turn a losing streak—on the field or in the office—into a comeback story.

The next time someone on your team is struggling, think of the Philly crowd that day. Stand up. Offer encouragement. Believe. Out loud. You might just create your own turnaround.

Believe. Out loud.

* You can see the whole story in The Turnaround, a documentary short created in partnership with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company here.