Give Him Some Breathing Space
- Phil D'Adamo
- Jul 2
- 1 min read
Updated: Sep 3
I don’t usually reference sports news on LinkedIn, but this story truly caught my attention. Former Sydney premiership coach Paul Roos offers compelling leadership insights that resonate far beyond the world of sports, shedding light on how we can address wellbeing issues in the workplace.
The story involves Western Bulldogs star forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who has taken indefinite leave from football for personal reasons. Roos emphasises the importance of "giving breathing space" and treating people "as human beings." He notes that when discussing someone's health, “we don’t know exactly what’s happened.” He goes further to share a profound perspective from his coaching days: “Not everyone wants to play football, and I know that surprises everyone.”
This is a powerful reminder that we should never assume a high-profile career or position, extraordinary talent, or an impressive track record equates to someone thriving or living their dream. It just may not be them.
As leaders, colleagues, or even friends, it’s crucial we take the time to understand people as people, connect with them authentically, and provide space for them to breathe when needed.
Jamarra, wishing you all the best in whatever path you choose moving forward.
