A Primer on Human Experience for this Year’s World Cup: Perspectives of a Soccer Dad on the Beautiful Game

by Jason A. Wolf, Ph.D., CPXP

I am a soccer dad and a forever soccer fan. When not having the honor of engaging in the work of The Beryl Institute with our community around the world, the joke on our team at the Institute is what soccer field did I find myself on this week.

As we sit on the doorstep of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, I thought it only proper to look at what these two amazing efforts – a commitment to transforming human experience and the art of football (yes, soccer) have in common.

The Beautiful Game

The great football star Pele is recognized as popularizing the phrase “o jogo bonito” to address this sport. It is Portuguese for “the beautiful game.” As a former player and now watching my own boys play this game, I see the reality of “o jogo bonito” play out in so many ways. And as I reflected on what this idea meant it had me see – as I am wont to do – its connection to our very efforts to positively impact the human experience in healthcare.

The concept of “o jogo bonito” reflects the power of soccer to elevate one’s ability to show grace under pressure, express agility in tense moments, affirm connection at critical times, and underline global unity found in not only the foundation of high performing teams, but also in the way the world comes together. These ideas are no more apparent than during the World Cup. These ideas in many ways are exactly what I see at the heart of excellence in human experience itself.

• Grace under pressure. No one would claim that the environment in which we operate in healthcare is easy. Success in experience calls for the ability to make key decisions in high stakes instances and show up fully for the people in front of us in every encounter. This requires grace, the ability to listen and communicate effectively, to show compassion even if feeling personal stress. It also means we need to make the space to take care of those who work in healthcare and to give them the time and capacity to act with grace in all they do. This is a conscious and a critical choice for all who care for others and one another each day.
• Agility in tense moments. Healthcare too calls on us to understand that processes and protocols, while necessary, are not the answer in all moments. Success in experience is driven by our ability to carry situational awareness into each moment and then respond as the moment dictates. This a critical skill to take into each experience encounter. That we can assess, react, and respond in ways appropriate for the specific situation in which we find ourselves. This capacity for agility is essential to honoring that each experience encounter is as unique as the next.
• Connection at critical times. Healthcare is a team sport. There are relatively few moments when one of us alone dictates the full experience people have. We must be mindful that EVERY individual encounter matters, but it is the connection of all those moments that conveys the totality of an experience one has with us. It is essential to build bridges and connections across our healthcare organizations to understand the role each individual plays and how they are critical to the moments they own. It is as equally important to help them see they are also part of something much bigger. It is in our capacity to foster, sustain, and act through connection with those we work with and those we serve that we ensure the best in outcomes.
• Underlining global unity. Healthcare experience is truly a global calling. For people no matter where they stand in the world deserve the best in care possible and the best in experience overall. This is delivered not only in the direct moments we engage with people in our individual organizations and systems, but also in our coming together to learn, to celebrate our successes, to be vulnerable in revealing lessons learned from the mistakes we made. All of this happens in a belief that together we are better, we are wiser, we are stronger, and we collectively improve. As the World Cup unifies the world – even as we may cheer for our own nation or favorite team – so too does the experience movement where the lessons are broad and far reaching and the impact is long lasting and boundless.

The Beautiful Purpose

While the outcomes of a soccer match may not be as essential as how we care for people in healthcare (though I think we will see just how essential it is to people in the weeks ahead); a commitment to transforming human experience itself is beautiful. It is the beautiful purpose – “o propósito bonito” – in which we can excel at our efforts as human beings caring for human beings. Our win is positive and safe outcomes for those we serve in healthcare, vibrant and engaged workforces, vital and thriving communities, and viable and sustainable organizations.

A commitment to excellence in human experience or achievement in soccer – “o propósito bonito” or “o jogo bonito” – both emerge from a common idea. That if we can commit with an unwavering focus and act with intention than success in one (or both) is in our grasp.

Pele was once noted as saying, “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” That is the bottom line for a commitment to human experience itself. It is hard work and yes, it is love of all we do. When we each make that commitment, we can fully say that the best in outcomes await.

While we may not all lift up the World Cup, we know we have and will always continue to impact lives around the world in our own important ways. And we WILL lift up others in ways that they will never forget. For that, we will all emerge champions.