The Lighthouse for Growth

What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?

When I say I grew up in a country where football (soccer) is king, I’m not just talking about a hobby. I’m talking about a way of life. Even now, residing in a country (U.S.A.) where “football” usually means helmets and end zones—which I’ve also come to truly enjoy—my heart belongs to what I affectionately call World Football.

It is my favorite Olympic sport to watch, but its influence on me goes much deeper than a summer tournament. As a Life Cultivator, I am always looking for the environments and experiences that help us grow, and for me, the football pitch has been one of the greatest classrooms imaginable.

Looking back, I can trace my fascination with global affairs and different cultures to a specific window of time: the late 80s and early 90s. Watching the Netherlands take the Euro in ’88, seeing Brazil win the Copa América in ’89, and witnessing West Germany win the World Cup in ’90 opened the world to me. Those matches weren’t just games; they were my first lessons in geography, history, and the beautiful complexity of our global community.

Today, that passion has found its way into my work in higher education. This semester in particular, as I teach International Organizational Behavior, I find myself constantly turning to the pitch to illustrate the concepts we study.

When we talk about team and group dynamics, I look at the chemistry of a midfield. When we explore vision, strategy, and adaptability, I point to the tactical shifts a coach makes under pressure. We dive into communication, workplace culture, and even conflict resolution through the lens of the world’s most successful professional teams.

In my International Business class, I often ask students to look at major European clubs as perfect examples of multinational organizations—enterprises that masterfully use technology and digital tools to maintain deep relationships with people across every continent.

For me, watching a match isn’t about killing time. It’s about the stories behind the game. I’m interested in the lives of the players, the philosophy of the coaches, and the organizational structures that allow a team to thrive.

The road ahead is particularly exciting. I am already looking forward to the 2026 World Cup. It will be a historic milestone with 48 teams competing, but on a personal level, it carries even more weight. My native country of Haiti will be participating for the first time since 1974. Since I wasn’t even born the last time Haiti made it to the world stage, seeing my home country compete in 2026 is a moment I know will be filled with an incredible sense of pride and history.

I am confident that the upcoming games will give us more than just a trophy winner. They will provide us with new lessons in leadership, resilience, and personal growth. Whether you are a lifelong fan or a casual viewer, there is so much we can learn about our own lives and careers by watching how the world plays together.

Football represents the best of what we can achieve: harmony, struggle, and the pursuit of a shared vision. I look forward to sharing more of these lessons with you here at The Lighthouse for Growth.

What about you?

What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?