Beyond Your Best Shot: Why Great Leaders Expand Their Game

When I first joined my high school tennis team, I had one powerful weapon: a massive forehand topspin. I’d slam it down the line or cross-court and win points almost every time. It felt great—until I faced opponents who realized all they had to do was keep sending the ball to my weak backhand. My “killer shot” became my Achilles’ heel.

My coach, Mr. Chu, tried to expand my game. He knew I needed a more balanced skill set. But I stuck to that one shot, the thing that “had always worked before.” Over time, I kept losing to better players who exposed my weaknesses. The result? I ended up playing second doubles, well aware I hadn’t reached my full potential.

Leaders often make the same mistake. They cling to a single strength—whether it’s their ability to solve problems, close a deal, or come up with ideas—and try to use it in every situation. It works wonders at lower levels. But as responsibilities grow, you can’t simply rely on being “the best individual contributor.” You have a team for a reason.

The truth is, leadership is about multiplying effectiveness through others, not doing everything yourself. Even if you have one amazing skill, you can’t address every challenge with it. Eventually, life or business (your opponent) will aim for your “backhand,” exposing your limitations.

So, if you’re the best problem-solver on your team, that’s admirable. But if that’s all you’ve got, maybe it’s time to revisit your approach. Great leaders develop a broader game—one that includes delegation, trust, and the ability to bring out the best in others.

Because if you keep swinging the same shot every time, you’re destined to hit a wall sooner or later. And unlike tennis, in leadership there’s no “second doubles” backup plan. You’re it—so make sure you’ve got more than just one move in your arsenal.

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Episode 26 – Small Business Leadership With DJ Moore

In my latest Eagle’s Insight podcast episode, I interview DJ Moore from Erosion Construction Solutions, a company that manufactures and provides erosion and sediment control solutions. DJ discusses the importance of stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPP) in construction, emphasizing that these plans are crucial for keeping dirt on construction sites and protecting fresh drinking water. He highlights that, globally, dirt is the number one pollutant of fresh drinking water. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities within the erosion control industry, touching on risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and the impact of government enforcement on business. DJ shares valuable lessons he’s learned as a business owner, including the importance of solving problems, developing leaders, and creating a strong company culture.

Key Takeaways:

• Effective leaders and employees excel at solving problems, even those that are not directly their fault.
• Investing in coaching and mentoring employees can help develop strong leaders within the organization.
• A positive company culture is crucial for fostering growth, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence.

Quotes from DJ Moore in this episode:

“Globally, the number 1 pollutant fresh drinking water is dirt and that’s something a lot of people think about.”

“What really sets people apart from just being a cog in the wheel and an employee versus, you know, the the effective employees or the entrepreneurs and leaders are the how you handle the problems that aren’t your fault and how do you how you deal with them?”

“Try to be a leader who builds leaders. So I don’t have to lead as much.”

Resources Mentioned:

• LinkedIn:?DJ Moore
• LinkedIn:?Bob Dixon
• Email:?[email protected]