In boxing, one goes to your corner during a fight to gain composure, get advice, and mostly encouragement. Who does not want to have someone on their side? The person who helps you and supports you when you need it. Who does not appreciate validation and acceptance? It is an intrinsic human need.
Yet, who we choose as that champion is critical. It is not the person who agrees with you without fault or will support you regardless of the situation. We soon find that those individuals add little value. Those who are agreeable keep us comfortable.
Instead, the true champions are the ones who are prepared to call us out and who question decisions, not because they seek to be contrarian or challenging but instead choose to be supportive and see us thrive. We need people who will hold us accountable and challenge our thoughts and actions since those are the same people who will help us face our fears, stretch ourselves, and grow. With the challenges, we succeed.
