The Universal Studios Trip That Changed How I Think About Leadership and Presence

Sometimes the best moments aren't the ones you plan for weeks in advance. They're the ones that catch you off guard on a random Tuesday afternoon when a cousin texts the group chat and says, "Hey, want to go to Universal Studios in a couple of weeks?"

That's exactly what happened a couple of weeks ago. No elaborate planning, no perfectly coordinated outfits, no carefully researched itinerary. Just a spontaneous "yes" that turned into one of those days I know I'll remember for years to come—and a powerful reminder about what it means to truly be present in our lives.

When Plans Aren't Really Plans: Embracing Spontaneity

About three weeks ago to this day, my cousin had reached out to myself and my younger brother asking, "Hey! Universal's HHN [Halloween Horror Nights] was pretty great this year. You guys want to go the weekend before Halloween this year? I can get us a deal on the resort room rate."

"Bet," wrote my brother. "You know I'm always down for a good time at Universal." However, I was a little hesitant.

You see, before this trip, my cousin had only shortly met my partner. Although they initially seemed to warm up to each other when meeting for the first time at this year's family Independence Day firework extravaganza (typically sponsored by the younger brother that was to join us on this trip), my cousin and my partner had not spent much time together...let alone, for 2-3 days roaming miles of theme park terrain together.

After discussing with my partner, though, he was supportive and I was ready for a vacation after running a week-long conference in Knoxville, Tennessee. So...we booked the tickets. Flight, resort room, and theme park passes. It was the first step in what would be an exciting, (mostly) spontaneous yet extravagant vacation to a sensory-unfriendly theme park in the heart of the Sunshine State. Beyond these few details, everything else was completely up-in-the-air.

We didn't purchase express passes. We didn't map out which rides to hit first. We just... went. And in a season where my calendar is already bursting with holiday obligations, work deadlines, and the general chaos of November and December, that lack of structure felt almost rebellious.

There's something liberating about showing up and letting the weekend unfold on its own terms. When the lines were long, we talked. When we got hungry, we ate. No rigid schedule, no feeling behind or stressed about "maximizing" the experience.

This is the kind of leadership we need in our own lives—the courage to step away from constant optimization and strategy, and allow space for genuine connection with the people who matter most.

The Joy of Slow: Rediscovering Authentic Experiences

Here's where our day took an unexpected turn. Instead of rushing toward the newest, fastest, most intense attractions, we found ourselves drawn to the classics. The E.T. Adventure—a ride that's been around since 1990 (aka pre-Wesley)—captured us with its gentle storytelling and nostalgic charm. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, while technologically impressive, offered a more measured pace that let us actually absorb the experience together.

These slower-paced experiences taught us something profound: joy doesn't always come at high speeds. In a culture obsessed with the next big thrill, the fastest roller coaster, the most extreme experience, we'd almost forgotten the richness that comes from slowing down. The E.T. ride didn't try to overwhelm us with adrenaline. Instead, it invited us into a story, gave us time to look around, to smile at each other, to be fully present in a moment of simple wonder. (I distinctly remember the smell of that ride, too. Each scene had a specific scent, which I loved!)

I think this is a powerful metaphor for life and leadership. We're so conditioned to chase the "thrill"—the next promotion, the next achievement, the next big milestone—that we overlook the quiet, meaningful moments happening right in front of us. The people sitting beside us. The conversations that unfold when we're not rushing to the next thing.

The Gift of Presence in Leadership

Here's what struck me most: I was actually there. Not thinking about the emails waiting in my inbox. Not mentally running through my holiday shopping list. Not worried about the upcoming Friendsgivings. Just present, taking in the sights and sounds, watching my family's faces light up, squeezing my partner's hand as our ride vehicle lurched forward.

I believe 'living in the present' isn't just a mindfulness buzzword—it's essential leadership practice. Whether you're leading a team, a family, or just your own life, your ability to be fully present with the people around you determines the quality of those relationships. When we're mentally elsewhere, people feel it. When we're truly there, they feel that too.

In a few weeks, we'll all be deep in holiday mode. The pressure to create perfect moments, check off every tradition, find the ideal gifts, attend every party. It's wonderful, but it's also exhausting. And sometimes in trying to make everything special, we forget to actually be in the special moments with the people we love.

Simplicity Over Spectacle: What Really Matters

Our decision to embrace those classic, slower-paced rides revealed something important: the most memorable experiences often come from simplicity, not spectacle. While others raced toward the newest attractions, we were riding bikes across the moon with E.T., feeling like kids again. We were swinging through New York with vintage Spider Man that brought just enough excitement to keep our eyes wide and mouths agape for three(ish) minutes; however, it was the comfort of nostalgia that made the ride so appealing.

This is the essence of present-moment living. When we slow down enough to appreciate what's in front of us, we discover richness we would have otherwise missed. The same applies to our relationships with family, friends, and partners. The quiet dinner conversation often matters more than the expensive night out. The unhurried walk together creates more connection than the perfectly Instagrammed adventure.

As leaders in our own lives, we have the power to choose: Do we chase the next thrill, or do we savor what's here? Do we rush through experiences to check them off a list, or do we let them unfold naturally, allowing space for genuine connection?

The Beauty of Imperfect, Unscripted Joy

I would say our Universal weekend wasn't perfect. Someone's phone died. Our flight was delayed more than three hours (1:40 am departure from MCO, anyone?) due to weather. We probably spent too much on overpriced park food. But none of that mattered because we were together, laughing, experiencing something new without the weight of expectations. When asked her favorite vacation ever whilst sitting for hours waiting on that delayed flight at the airport, my cousin simply replied, "This one."

Authentic leadership—of ourselves and in relationships—means embracing imperfection. It means valuing presence over polish, connection over control, and people over perfection.

As we drove home that evening, tired and sunburned and happy, I realized this impromptu trip was exactly what I needed before the holiday whirlwind begins. It was a reminder that the best experiences often can't be forced or over-planned. They happen when you say yes to spontaneity and let go of control.

Taking This Energy Forward: Practical Ways to Stay Present

I want to carry this feeling into the coming weeks. Here's what I'm committing to:

• Choose slower-paced experiences alongside the exciting ones. Not everything needs to be high-intensity. Some of life's richest moments happen in the quiet spaces.

• Prioritize the people who matter most. Being fully present with your partner, family, and closest friends is the most important leadership work you'll ever do.

• Embrace spontaneity. Leave room in your calendar for unplanned joy. The best memories often come from saying "yes" without overthinking it.

• Practice present-moment awareness. When you're with someone, be truly with them. Put down your phone. Set aside your to-do list. Show up fully.

• Remember that simple can be spectacular. You don't always need the newest, flashiest, most extreme experience. Sometimes the classics—the tried and true, the gently-paced, the simple—offer exactly what your soul needs.

Leading with Presence This Holiday Season

So if you find yourself overwhelmed in the coming weeks, I hope you'll remember this too: It's okay to be spontaneous. It's okay to leave space for unplanned joy. It's okay to choose the slower, simpler experience. It's okay to prioritize being fully present over being perfectly prepared.

Because at the end of the day, leadership isn't about doing more—it's about being more present for what truly matters. What we'll remember isn't how flawlessly we executed our plans. It's how we felt. Who we laughed with. The moments we actually showed up for.

The people we chose to be fully present with.

And sometimes, all it takes is a last-minute trip to a theme park—and a ride on E.T.'s bicycle—to remind us of that.

What helps you stay present during busy seasons? How do you balance the pursuit of exciting new experiences with appreciating life's simpler joys? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.