Hey Leader! 🙌
Let’s talk about discomfort.
Not the kind that sneaks up on you, but the kind you choose.
In August 2015, I landed in Brazil and met a woman who changed my life. Tatiana. She spoke perfect English. I didn’t speak a word of Brazilian Portuguese.
Then, with incredible teachers, her mom, Cristina, my tutor, Mara, and living in Brazil for 2 years, I slowly built conversational fluency.
But here’s the truth: for 15 years, Tatiana and I stuck to my language.
Why? Because it was easier. More efficient. Comfortable.
But leadership doesn’t live in comfort.
This past July, I met a new friend from Italy. He spoke five languages.
His secret? He practiced with the people he loved. When he started dating a Mexican woman, he immediately switched their language to Spanish.
And that hit me like a bolt of lightning.
I realized: My ego had been holding me back. I didn’t want to feel dumb. I didn’t want to be corrected. I chose comfort over growth.
It shone a light on my own insecurity and frustrated me.
So I asked Tatiana, “Can we make Portuguese our new home language?”
Without hesitation, she said yes.
And after 5 months of deliberate discomfort at home, my fluency has skyrocketed faster than the previous five years combined.
Here’s the leadership lesson:
If you want to grow, get uncomfortable on purpose.
You don’t level up by staying efficient. You grow when you risk looking silly, when you admit you’re not the best, and when you let discomfort sharpen your edge.
Deliberate discomfort is the price of real growth.
My friend, make the investment.
Bryce Henson
CEO, Fit Body
The 5 Immutable Rules of Leadership
- Take Extreme Ownership: Everything is your responsibility—even when it’s not your fault.
- Put Your Oxygen Mask On First: Lead yourself before leading others.
- Wield Influence Through Moral Authority: People follow who you are, not what you say.
- It’s Not About You—Never Was, Never Will Be: Elevate others, build legacy.
- Turn Adversity Into Advantage: Pain is your power—use it.
