OH CANADA: Freedom, Leadership, and the Wake-Up Call We Didn’t See Coming

Canada’s Hockey Win and a Leadership Lesson from 1995

I’m jumping on the bandwagon today—not because I’m Canadian, a hockey mom, or even an Oilers fan. And I know this post might ruffle a few feathers, but at this stage in my life, I’ve lost my filter, and I’m okay with that.

There’s been a flood of LinkedIn posts about Canada’s big win last night—comments about how politicians should take note, how we shouldn’t be underestimated, or how we won’t let our "best friend" bully us. But none of that resonated with me. What did? A simple comment:

"Sport has the power to unite us."

That, I could get behind.

In 1994, at 19 years old, I cast my first vote in a free and democratic South Africa alongside my sisters and immigrant parents. It was a time of uncertainty—no one knew how things would unfold. The road ahead was rocky, and we desperately needed something to bring us together, to begin the slow journey of healing.

That moment came in 1995 with the Rugby World Cup final.

The players weren’t paid professionals—they played for the love of the game and the love of their country. But more than that, it was about the people uniting. We saw true leadership—not from politicians, but from those who understood the power of a moment. Nelson Mandela recognized an opportunity to heal a divided nation and show the world what unity could look like.

"Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does." — Nelson Mandela

I can’t look at that iconic photo of Madiba and François Pienaar without feeling an overwhelming sense of emotion and pride. It wasn’t about a trophy—it was about a nation coming together.

Last night, I was jumping up and down, emotional and thrilled by Canada’s win—not because of the political narratives circulating today, but because I know how privileged I am, after 22 years as a Canadian, to live in a country that is free.

And that is where true leadership matters.

Not leadership from politicians—they serve us, not the other way around. Leadership is about recognizing moments that matter and bringing people together when it counts. It’s about the choices we make every day in our businesses, in our communities, and in how we treat one another.

The wake-up call for us Canadians right now isn’t about tariffs, an unsteady ally, or weak politicians who fail to lead. The real wake-up call is how fragile our freedom is—how easily "glorious and free" can slip away.

We, the people, need to be better and do better. Our complacency has led us here—to a moment where we feel the need to stand up for ourselves. But it’s not on the politicians. The accountability lies with us. We put them in power.

Madiba once said, "Lead from the back—and let others believe they are in front."

Real leadership is not about control. It’s about inspiring action, standing for something bigger than yourself, and uniting people with a common purpose.

So, what will we do with this moment Canada?

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