Had I Known… Lesson 3

Being Professional Isn't About People — It’s About Performance

When I first stepped into the world of professional volleyball, I thought being a “pro” meant being a good teammate, respecting the coach, and getting along with everyone. I thought if I worked hard, showed up on time, and cared about the team, that was enough.It wasn’t.

What I didn’t understand then was this: in professional sports, results rule everything. Relationships matter - until they don’t.

Your coach may like you. Your teammates might love you. But if you’re not delivering the numbers, the wins, or the impact they expected, all that goodwill disappears fast. And when your job is on the line, there are no second chances for “nice.”

It took me years to understand that every role in a club has a different target. The club wants trophies, fan engagement, sponsors. The coach wants to keep their job. The players want stats, contracts, and upward movement. And none of that necessarily aligns. So when tensions rise, don’t be surprised. It’s not personal. It’s business. Especially in high-stakes environments.

And if you’re a foreigner? Multiply that pressure by ten.

Imports are investments. You’re brought in to be the difference-maker. There is zero patience for slow starts, injuries, or off-days. I learned this the hard way - especially in countries like South Korea, where only one foreigner is allowed per team. One. That’s not a player, it’s a position. A job slot. And if you don’t perform like a machine, they find someone who will. Fast.

Meanwhile, local players (often protected by politics, federations, or cultural norms) can underperform and still stay. It’s not fair, but it’s how the system works. You are judged on output, not effort. Not friendships. Not “being a good fit.” Just what’s on the stat sheet and scoreboard.

So what does being a pro really mean?

It means showing up ready to execute, regardless of the environment. It means staying focused when things get unfair. It means taking ownership of your role - knowing no one will save you. Not your coach, not your agent, not your friends on the team.

Had I known this earlier, I would have saved myself a lot of heartbreak. I confused being professional with being liked. But this world isn’t built on feelings. It’s built on results.

And once you accept that, you can start playing the game for real.