The Few Leaders

What Leadership Looks Like After You Lose Everything You Thought You Were with Joe Delagrave

Episode Summary

What if your greatest failure became your greatest advantage? In this new episode of The Few Leaders, Paralympian and Team USA wheelchair rugby coach Joe Delagrave shares how a life-changing accident forced him to rebuild everything, from his identity to his leadership. We look into what resilience really means beyond the buzzwords, how failure is the gateway to growth, and why human connection is essential in the toughest moments. Joe opens up about confronting shame, redefining masculinity, and the small choices that led to a bigger life. Whether you're leading a team, facing burnout or stuck in survival mode, this episode is your reminder that success doesn’t come from avoiding adversity but from rising through it.

Episode Notes

Actionable Takeaway

• Don’t wait for life to slow down, decide how you’ll show up now
• Start with what still works, not what you’ve lost
• Your identity isn’t what you do, it’s how you grow through what you face
• Let people in, your community is your anchor in tough seasons
• Make failure part of the plan, not something to fear
• Check your culture, are you punishing mistakes or learning from them
• Real strength is built in the messy, uncomfortable middle, not the highlight reel
   

Connect with Joe Delagrave:
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Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:
Learn more about Christian Boucousis
Boo on LinkedIn
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Boo on YouTube