Flipping The Script (The Friday Ficks S5 E18)

A 21-year-old amateur golfer made headlines at the 2025 Masters - not for his score, but for his style.

Jose Luis Ballester, a collegiate golfer from Arizona State, wore a hat with “Sun Devils” printed upside down and backwards. No sponsor. No stylist. Just a Gen Z athlete expressing himself.

The golf world - and social media - didn’t take it well. Ballester’s hat was labeled “crazy,” “outrageous,” even “diabolical.” That’s right. A college hat sparked outrage.

Curious, I dug deeper.

Turns out, the trend began during the pandemic. In 2020, a Texas-based Marine-turned-entrepreneur flipped “DALLAS” upside down on a hat as a symbol: the world felt inverted, and his fashion mirrored the moment.

Since then, upside-down lettering has grown into a broader Gen Z style - personal, expressive, and a little rebellious.

It made me think about generational friction. According to a 2024 survey, 58% of employers say Gen Z is unprepared for the workforce. I’d argue they’re not unprepared - they’re just misunderstood.

Different doesn’t mean deficient. And it certainly doesn’t mean diabolical.

As leaders, we have a responsibility to close - not widen - those generational gaps. That starts with listening, learning, and letting go of outdated assumptions.

Ballester didn’t just wear a hat. He flipped the script and wore a message. One that says: “I belong here. I’ll do it my way.”

And you know what? I respect that.

So yes - I’m ordering a few of these hats for myself.

Because sometimes, to see clearly, you need to turn things upside down.

Own the day. Own the weekend.

Carl

Ps. I facilitate leadership training that helps leaders understand and close those generational gaps. DM me and we’ll flip the script together.