There’s nothing quite like the noise of a big win. The cheers, the handshakes, the buzz in the changing room. But once the noise fades, the real work begins.
Leadership can feel like that too. Early on, there’s energy, feedback, and attention. People notice your efforts. But over time, the crowd gets quieter. The applause fades. You keep giving, but the recognition slows down.
It’s in those moments that your motivation gets tested.
Real leadership isn’t built on the cheers. It’s built on purpose. The best leaders don’t lead for applause; they lead because they believe in what they’re doing and who they’re doing it for.
When the noise drops, it’s easy to doubt yourself. But staying steady, consistent, and focused during the quiet times is what builds long-term influence. It’s when your team learns what you stand for.
Sometimes the quiet is actually a good thing. It means you’ve built a rhythm where people don’t need to clap to know the work matters. They’re watching how you respond when the spotlight moves somewhere else.
This week’s challenge:
Take a moment to think about what drives you when no one’s watching. Lead from that place. Your steadiness in the quiet seasons is what earns trust in the loud ones.