Every Leader Needs a Cornerman
Why the best don’t fight alone
In combat sports, a Cornerman (or simply “corner”) is the coach or teammate assisting a fighter during the bout.
They stay outside the ring... close enough to see clearly, but far enough to give space.
Between rounds, they rush in to give quick instruction, wipe sweat and blood, apply ice, and steady the fighter’s breathing.
And if the fight turns dangerous, they are the one who throws in the towel.
The fighter may get the spotlight, but victory rarely belongs to them alone.
I don’t know about you, but I need more Cornermen in my life.
People who help me with the battle but don’t take it over from me.
The ones who remind me who I am when I forget... who offer clarity when I’m seeing stars and starting to fade.
And I want to be that Cornerman for others... the kind who encourages, speaks truth, shares lessons learned, and tends to the weary.
Sometimes that means cleaning their wounds.
Sometimes it means reminding them they are still standing.
And sometimes it means offering them a drink of the water when life has left them dry and exhausted.
We all have rounds in life that feel like we are taking more hits than we can throw.
Deadlines. Conflict. Leadership fatigue. Family struggles.
And just when you start thinking you are done, that quiet voice in your corner reminds you...
“You’re not finished yet. Breathe. Adjust. You’ve got this.”
The best fighters don’t survive by being the strongest.
They survive because someone in their corner keeps them grounded, focused, and believing there is a path to victory.
For Executives, Managers, and Pastors
Here’s how you can implement this right now:
1. Identify your corner.
Who speaks truth into your life when you start to lose clarity?
Make a list of those voices. Reach out this week to thank them… even if it has been too long.
2. Build corners for others.
Choose one person you lead who is clearly fighting fatigue, doubt, or fear.
Give them a safe place to pause. Ask, “How are you... really?”
Don’t try to fix it. Don’t preach. Just listen.
3. Protect time between rounds.
Schedule moments of recovery.
Even Jesus stepped away to rest and pray.
You cannot fight every round without pausing to breathe.
4. Know when to throw in the towel.
Leaders sometimes need to pull someone out of the fight for their own good.
It is not weakness... it is wisdom.
Sometimes love looks like stepping in before burnout breaks them.
Leadership isn’t always about being the one in the ring.
Sometimes, it’s about being present in someone else’s corner when they are.
Because when you fight alone, you lose your rhythm.
But when you fight with people who believe in you... you find your strength again.
So ask yourself this week...
Who’s in your corner?
And who needs you in theirs?
We fought so effectively against collectivism that we destroyed the idea of the common good