Hi friend,

I want to share something personal for this week’s lesson.

A few weeks ago, while visiting Yorkdale Mall with my children, we wandered into Indigo.

Near the stairs on the second floor, an author was seated at a table signing books.

It was Karl Subban, the father of well known former professional ice hockey defenceman P. K. Subban.

We walked over, chatted for a few minutes, he signed a copy of his book "How We Did It", and I bought it.

As I recently read it, I kept thinking about how well it speaks to the season of life so many of us are in.

Karl’s story starts in Jamaica, continues in Canada when he arrived at age twelve and grows into a journey that took him from teacher to principal to the father of five children, including three who reached the NHL.

But the story is not about hockey.

It is about potential.

It is about how ordinary habits build extraordinary possibilities.

And it is about how much of our future is shaped not by talent, but by belief, consistency and love.

Karl writes:

Potential is not something outside of us.

It is already there.

Our job is to bring it to life.

Karl’s parents gave him four expectations while growing up: work hard in school, behave well, look clean and neat, and be good at something that makes your family proud.

Simple.

Clear.

And powerful.

Those expectations shaped the Subban household, shaped the way Karl led in schools and shaped the way his children trained, studied, competed, and lived.

Karl often describes hockey as a mirror for life.

The rink is the classroom.

The practices are your daily habits.

The game is your purpose.

And the goal is your impact.

Success, in his eyes, is not the trophy.

It is the person you become while pursuing it.

Here’s a line worth reflecting on (and you can replace "hockey" with something that matters to you other than people):

That is the heartbeat of the book.

And it reminded me that the most meaningful work we do has to do with the work we do with and in support of others.

The conversations.

The encouragement.

The standards we set for ourselves and the people we care about.

So how do we turn this into action this week?

Here are three practical steps:

1. Set your four expectations.​
   Choose theee to four standards that will guide you this season.
   Keep them simple, honest and personal.
   ​
2. Use the 24 hour rule.​
   When a decision feels urgent, give it a day.
   Most of the time, clarity appears when urgency fades.
   ​
3. Invest in someone’s potential.​
   Pick one person and help them see what they can become.
   A message, a call, or a quiet word of belief can change more than you think.

Thank you for reading and for being part of this journey with me.

Until next week, dream big, plan well, and execute with heart.

Warmly,
Alex Rășcanu
​

P.S. If you end up reading Karl Subban’s book, I’d love to hear what stood out most for you.

P.P.S. On top of themonthly #ExperienceTO historical tours, we can now stay in touch via the virtual #LeadershipBookClub as well.