You Can’t Choose the Pitch—But You Always Choose the Swing

What this episode covers

Every leader faces curveballs. The difference between those who break and those who build something stronger is how they respond. In this episode of Gaining the Technology Leadership Edge, Mike sits down with Joelle Kaufman, a 25-year B2B SaaS executive, go-to-market leadership coach, and generational cancer survivor, to unpack her Curveball Method for leading through adversity. Drawing from her experience helping build over $4B in market value—and navigating cancer personally—Joelle explains why challenges are constant, but panic is optional. The conversation explores how leaders can slow down under pressure, separate reactions from reality, and make better decisions when the stakes are high. Joelle walks through the five core elements of her approach: clarifying what matters most, leaning into strengths, choosing a possibility mindset, deploying the right resources, and leading with clear communication. She also shares practical frameworks for building resilience, regulating emotions, setting boundaries, and turning even devastating events into long-term advantages. This episode is a grounded, deeply human look at leadership under pressure—and how the way you “swing” determines what comes next.

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