By Teri Arvesu González
Latina media executive | Innovation strategist | Founder of The TAG Collab
In seventh grade, I signed up for cross country. I’d done some running in PE, and my father—an avid runner—inspired me to give it a shot. I had no idea that those laps around the field would become one of the most enduring metaphors for how I live, lead, and innovate.
By the end of the season, I became one of the top runners on the team. But what set me apart wasn’t speed—it was strategy. I didn’t sprint when the gun went off. I stayed steady. I found my rhythm. While others gassed out, I maintained pace and finished strong. I wasn’t trying to win. I was trying to run well.
Somewhere along the way, something kept happening: I’d look around mid-race and realize I was completely alone. At first, I panicked. Did I take a wrong turn? Did I fall behind? But the truth was—I was leading. And in leading, I was often pioneering new ground—unseen, unvalidated, unconfirmed.
That realization left an imprint:
When you’re trailblazing, the path often looks empty—not because you’re lost, but because you’re first.
I felt this again in journalism. When we had a major exclusive, there was no benchmark.; no one else who we could compare to see if we got all of it right or not, missed a detail, etc. No rival version to compare to. It was thrilling—but terrifying. You had to trust your own sourcing, your own process. You had to believe in your diligence, even when no one else could confirm it.
I’ve come to understand: this is the psychological tension of pioneering. It’s not about performance—it’s about presence. It's not about being first—it's about being faithful to your lane.
The Science of Why Comparison Slows Us Down
Today’s culture conditions us to look left and right. To scroll. To measure. To compare. But this isn’t just culture—it’s brain science.
🧠 1. Mirror Neurons & Social Referencing
We’re wired to watch others to assess safety. From infancy, our brains rely on mirror neurons and social referencing—we look to others to decide what’s acceptable, safe, or right. So when we don’t see anyone nearby, it can feel psychologically dangerous. That’s why leading often feels lonely—even when it’s not.
🔬 2. Social Comparison Theory (Festinger, 1954)
Psychologist Leon Festinger explained that we gauge our value by comparison. Upward comparison can motivate or paralyze. Downward comparison can soothe or distract. Either way, we’re measuring against, not within.
📱 3. Dopamine Loops on Social Media
Social media magnifies this by gamifying our self-worth. Every like and view becomes a neurochemical dopamine hit. We chase metrics instead of mission. We forget that algorithms reward noise, not nuance.
But when you’re innovating—when you’re forging something new—there is no one to compare yourself to. That’s the gift and the cost of being a pioneer.
Trailblazing Is a Muscle—and a Mindset
I once told my son this story when he joined cross country. During one race, he kept looking around to see who was catching up. He lost focus, tripped, lost a shoe, and ultimately lost the race. It wasn’t speed that cost him—it was distraction. A lesson I knew too well.
What I learned from both running and reporting is this:
You can’t break ground if you’re watching someone else’s path.
This is where leadership identity theory (DeRue & Ashford, 2010) comes in. Leadership isn’t given—it’s owned. It’s forged through self-trust, repeated action, and the willingness to move forward even when the road is unclear. And when you're pioneering, clarity doesn't precede action—it follows it.
In Your Lane, There Is No Traffic—Only Truth
There’s a quote I love:
"When you're in your lane, there is no traffic."
When you align with your purpose—your God-given path—it might feel empty. But that emptiness? It’s not failure. It’s space for innovation. It’s proof you’re carving something new.
Trailblazers don’t wait for a crowd to validate them. They move with conviction, even when no one else sees the finish line. That’s what makes them innovators. And that’s what I try to carry now—not just as a professional or a parent, but as a woman rooted in both faith and purpose.
I don’t run to win anymore.I run to become.
About the Author
Teri Arvesu Gonzalez is the founder of The TAG Collab, a consultancy that helps mission-driven companies align purpose, brand, and strategy from the inside out.
With a Master’s in Management and Leadership and more than 25 years of experience leading newsrooms, launching initiatives, and driving transformation across Miami, Chicago, and national corporate teams, she brings deep expertise in storytelling, culture-building, and operational alignment.
Also find me on:
Podcast: on Apple Podcasts and Spotify The TAG Collab
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_tag_collab/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576206521962
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teriarvesu/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thetagcollab/
Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@thetagcollab
