What Leaders Can Learn From the Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Engagement

Spoiler alert: It’s more than just sparkly rings and cute moments on the sidelines.

The whole world is buzzing. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially engaged. Whether you’re a full-blown Swiftie or just catching highlights on your feed, it’s hard to miss the cultural

moment.

But here at 45 Degrees, we can’t help but ask: What can leaders, coaches, and business owners take away from this?

Turns out, quite a bit.

1. When you want something, go for it. Even if it feels out of reach.

   Travis Kelce didn’t just admire Taylor from afar. He went to her concert. He made her a friendship bracelet with his number on it. And when that didn’t pan out, he talked about it publicly on his podcast. He shared what he wanted. Out loud.

   
   

   Too often in business, we stop ourselves before we even start.

   We think: That company would never go for this proposal.

   That client’s too busy for a new idea.

   That leader I admire wouldn’t take my call.
   

   But what if they would?
   

   This is your sign to go for it anyway.
   

2. Try, adjust, repeat.

   Let’s be real. Travis didn’t land the date on attempt one.

   He tried a bracelet. It didn’t work. He tried podcasting about it. Still nothing.

   
   

   But he kept going.

   We see this all the time with leaders and entrepreneurs. Someone sends a proposal and gets radio silence, and they interpret it as a no. But maybe it’s not a no. Maybe it’s just a not yet, or a try a different angle, or a you’re not speaking my language moment.

   Good leaders don’t stop at one strategy. They pivot. They refine. They stay in the game.
   

3. Ask the question.

   What if Travis had never asked?

   Never put it out there?

   Never said the thing?

   We wouldn’t be watching a modern fairy tale unfold right now.

This is your reminder:

• Ask your team if they’re ready to lead that new initiative.

• Ask your mentor for their perspective.

• Ask that prospective client if they’re open to exploring something new.

• Ask the question you’ve been holding back.

You never know what could change from a single conversation.