Extreme Ownership of Your Talent (and Your Town)

I was watching Stick on Apple TV, a gritty little series about a washed-up golf legend trying to coach a new rising star.

SPOILER ALERT (if you haven't gotten to ep 3)

In episode 3, the kid is unraveling. He’s talented as hell, but he’s spiraling, 6 over on the front 9.

And the coach? Tries the typical "get your head in the game" BS.

But then this waitress, who runs into the kid when he storms off, casually drops the line: “You need extreme ownership of your talent.”

And I paused the show. Because damn. That’s it.

That’s the difference between people who stay stuck and people who lead movements.

And that’s what so many people in this industry are not doing right now.

If you work inside a DMO, CVB, agency, tourism board—whatever acronym applies—let’s get real:

You might have been told: “You’re not ready for that role yet.” “The board won’t go for it.” “We’ve always done it this way.”

So you shrink. You wait. You start believing that someone else has to bless your brilliance before you can use it.

But you don’t need permission. You need ownership.

Extreme ownership of your talent means:

• You stop waiting for a title before leading boldly.

• You don’t dilute your vision just because it ruffles some legacy feathers.

• You start trusting your gut, because that instinct you have? That’s the real strategy.

• You don’t just market the destination. You shape what it means.

It’s not about being the loudest. It’s about being the clearest. The person who sees the future—and builds like you believe in it.

Because tourism needs fewer “order takers” and more designers of possibility. Fewer "we can't" and more "watch me."

So here’s your challenge: Where are you holding back your talent because the system told you to stay safe? And what could happen if you stop waiting for approval and start acting like the strategist you are?

You don’t need a title to lead. You don’t need a mentor to cosign your brilliance. And you sure as hell don’t need to ask the board for courage.

You just need to decide you’re not going to waste your talent. Not in this town. Not in this era.

— Jenn

CEO, DESTruptor, Currently accepting life advice from rogue waitresses and ignoring approval from committees