When something goes wrong, it can feel like the whole world is watching—but what if they…

When something goes wrong, it can feel like the whole world is watching—but what if they really were? 😬

In 2016, during Pride Night, our control room made a mistake that, to some, appeared intentional. It wasn’t. Unfortunately, we woke up to being the lead story nationwide, and the headlines were brutal. I’d never felt pressure like that before.

Here’s what I learned:

- Don’t get distracted by the noise 🗣️

- Trust in yourself and the process to uncover the truth 🕵️‍♂️

- Focus on doing the right thing, always ✅

- Take your time, even when it feels like you don’t have any ⏳

- Listen carefully 👂

- Once you identify the issue, create a plan to prevent it from happening again 🛠️

What we discovered was a clear disconnect between two groups. Through conversation, we pinpointed the root of the problem and worked together to fix it.

So, why am I sharing this old story?

Because my favorite part of this experience was my friendship that emerged with Fernando Z. López, who was with San Diego PRIDE. They and I had the opportunity to reconnect this week before they head off to Washington, DC. We talked a lot about how through listening, we found common ground, laughter, and a way to help each other.

A big thanks to Fernando for being amazing to me and our team back in 2016, and for the many years of growth, progress, and fun we had creating one of the biggest and best Pride Nights in the game after that unfortunate event. 🌈

I also can not forget how instrumental the late Billy Bean from MLB was throughout this process. He was a true advocate for both the LGBTQ+ community and the baseball community, who helped us come together so quickly. 🙏

Here’s to more listening that turns to laughter that creates change.❤️

And good luck on your next adventure Fernando!

#WhatsYourCUENTO

#Pride #Leadership #CrisisManagement #Growth #LGBTQ #MLB #Teamwork #Friendship #LessonsLearned #ListeningSkills #PrideNight