There’s an important component to leadership development we all need to remember; leadership development is cumulative.  And in that cumulative process, the growth is often not seen until it’s seen.

Leadership development with our players reminds me of developing skills with my 18-month old daughter Georgia.  For the past 18-months my wife and I have been teaching her how to say her ABC’s, how to count to ten and the colors of the rainbow.   Each of our “sessions” with her feel the exact same; she responds with an expression-less face or a look of confusion and then moves on to the next thing.  As of today, she has yet to demonstrate any of the things we’ve taught her.  Despite her lack of progress, her limited interaction or her varying levels of enthusiasm, my wife and I continue to teach.

Never at one moment have my wife and I questioned our ability to teach Georgia these basic learning skills.  We understand it’s a process and we understand her development is cumulative.  We know when Georgia gets it, she will have got it because of what we’ve given her.

This applies to our teams in the same way.  When you’re pouring into your players, your players are growing as leaders even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment.  What your players get they will have got because of what you’ve given them.

Leadership development is cumulative and a result of our successive additions we’ve contributed to our players.

Every day, every week, every session, every conversation and every exercise is adding to the growth of your players.  If you’re like me, you’ve wondered if your message is getting across at times.  I can relate.  But I also can speak from experience when I say it is and oftentimes it’s the players who you feel most distant from, that’s absorbing the most.  You will see their growth in little moments throughout the season, in moments with their teammates or when you get a chance to talk 1-on-1 with your player and begin peeling back the layers.  You’ll be surprised how much they’re taking in, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment.

When the day comes that Georgia says her ABC’s, my wife and I will reflect back knowing our work helped produce the results.  When your players step-up in that moment of adversity or your captain leads the team in that important game of the year, you’ll be able to reflect back knowing your work helped produce the results.

Your work is making an impact.  Trust me.  Continue honoring the process and finding joy in the journey.

Have fun and #LeadEmUp

Adam