Can small things really make that big of an impact?

It's the small, everyday actions that may seem insignificant in the moment, that build strong teams and foster growth.

I wanted to share a thought that I’ve been mulling over, which ties together two seemingly different worlds: leadership and physical therapy. Both, as it turns out, are built on the same fundamental principle: the power of small, intentional actions.

If you’ve ever had to do physical therapy, it's not uncommon to feel like you're not making the progress you expected, especially when you're recovering from a significant injury. You might anticipate dramatic exercises and big milestones, only to find your therapist guiding you through subtle, almost mundane activities. For me, in dealing with a significant foot injury, something as simple as "toe yoga" seemed ridiculous when I’m aiming for a full recovery. I thought I should be working harder at something much bigger. However, I’ve learned that these small movements are often the key to regaining strength and stability and sustaining that improvement over time. I’ve learned that when there are chronic physical issues, or an injury reoccurs frequently, it’s often because a “micro” muscle hasn’t been properly developed. And I recently heard a report that today they’re using scientific data and biofeedback in Olympic athletes to evaluate such small imbalances to enhance performance. ?The small stuff, like engaging specific muscles or focusing on precise movements, can produce macro results over time.

This deeply resonates with my core beliefs on how to deliver individual and organizational change. When everyone else is looking for the next big idea or quick fix for grand achievements and visible successes, our focus remains on changing habits incrementally to bring strength and sustainability to fundamental personal productivity and leadership skills. In our work, it's the small, everyday actions—prioritizing, staying focused, listening attentively, giving constructive feedback, and setting clear expectations—that build strong teams and foster growth.?

As we continue to develop our leadership skills, let's remember the value of these micro activities. They might seem insignificant, mundane or even trivial in the moment, but they are the foundational elements that truly drive progress and transformation.?

Let's all continue to focus on the small steps, trusting that they will lead us to greater outcomes.?

– Paul

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