By Vicki Mayo, CEO & Founder, TouchPoint Solution
Welcome to Bridle & Boardroom, a monthly reflection where the lessons learned in the arena mirror the challenges of leadership. I’m an adult amateur dressage rider, and the CEO and Founder of TouchPoint Solution, a company that creates wearable devices clinically proven to reduce stress and anxiety in seconds. Through horses and leadership alike, I’ve learned that balance, trust, and connection are at the heart of true success – in the saddle, in the boardroom, and everywhere in between.
As both a CEO and a rider, I live at the intersection of two very different worlds: the boardroom and the barn. But the longer I do both, the more I see the parallels. Success in either arena comes down to three things: trust, timing, and fit.
And sometimes – even when everything looks perfect on paper — it still doesn’t work.
This month’s reflection is personal.
A little while ago, I welcomed a new horse named Talladega into my life. He checked every single box: kind, talented, and trained through Intermediate I. He was safe, sweet, and admired by everyone who met him.
But from our first few rides, I felt it; something was missing. Not wrong, just… not right.
It’s hard to explain to someone who’s not in it. From the outside, everything looked ideal. But inside the ride, there was a disconnect between us that I couldn’t ignore. He and I weren’t meeting — not in the way I know a good horse-and-rider partnership should.
It reminded me of hiring a senior leader. The résumé is flawless, the credentials are stellar, and the cultural fit even seems aligned. But once they’re in the role, something feels off.
That’s when the self-doubt kicks in.
“Am I the problem?”
“Should I try harder?”
“Am I being too picky?”
In both riding and leadership, we often internalize these disconnects. We assume that if we just coach more, explain better, or give it more time, the fit will come.
But here’s the truth: sometimes, it’s just not a fit.
No one is to blame, and no one did anything wrong. But there’s no spark, no flow, no alignment. And in those moments, leadership isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about knowing when to let go — for the good of everyone involved.
With Talladega, that meant acknowledging that as sweet and capable as he was, he wasn’t the right match for me. He deserved a partner he clicked with. And I deserved that, too.
In business, the stakes are even higher. You’re not just considering your own experience, but the impact on your team, your culture, and your momentum. And often, the thing that keeps us stuck is the loudest, quietest fear: What will people think?
But leadership is not about optics. It’s about alignment. About being willing to step back, listen to your instincts, and make space for something that truly fits.
I spent a long time wrestling with the decision to move on from Talladega. But once I honored that gut feeling, the clarity came fast.
So if you’re in that space — whether it’s with a horse, a hire, or a hard decision — know this:
There’s no shame in walking away from what doesn’t align; there’s courage in honoring what does.
And as for me? I’m back in the arena, still searching for that next partner. Because when the fit is there, you know it. And there’s nothing like it.
About the Author
Vicki Mayo is the CEO and Founder of TouchPoint Solution, a serial entrepreneur, author, and adult amateur dressage rider based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her professional journey has spanned founding and leading multiple companies, while her personal journey has brought her back to the saddle after a two-decade hiatus. Today, she blends lessons learned in the arena with leadership insights from the boardroom, sharing her belief that trust, resilience, and connection are at the heart of true success – in business, in riding, and in life.
