We love the drama of the home run — the big presentation that wows the client, the brilliant idea that changes everything overnight, the heroic leader who swoops in and saves the day. But let me tell you: real leadership rarely works that way.
As I’ve said before, leadership isn’t about being the hero. It’s not about hitting home runs or solving every problem by yourself. It’s about being the architect of success. And most of the time, success is built not on grand slams, but on consistent, intentional base hits.
Think about it: a team that tries to hit home runs all the time ends up striking out more often than not. But a team focused on steady, reliable progress? That’s a team that wins games. The same holds true in business. When we focus on building momentum — one small win, one conversation, one relationship at a time — we create sustainable success.
Leadership is about more than just outcomes. It’s about influence. Culture. Relationships. It’s about showing up consistently, listening carefully, and investing in people, day after day. Those small moments — a word of encouragement, a thoughtful question, a willingness to listen — are your base hits. And when they start to add up, they create the kind of team dynamic that hits real home runs together.
So the next time you’re tempted to swing for the fences, ask yourself: what base hit could I make today? What step forward can I take — no matter how small — that brings my team closer to where we want to go?
And think about it: if bases are always loaded and the stars — and the physics of the swing — align and you find yourself knocking it out of the park, you drive in four players, not one.
Trust me, the scoreboard will take care of itself. Focus on the fundamentals. Build trust. Celebrate the little wins. That’s how you lead people well — and that’s how real success is built.
Photo by Chris Chow on Unsplash
