(Spring Into Action Series – Part 2)
Ever seen a basketball dribble or tennis ball that bounces perfectly the first time?
Nope.
It jerks, doesn’t bounce the way we want, maybe even flips over the line. But what does it never do?
Sit still.
That’s the kind of energy we need to tap into as inside sales leaders. And here’s the real kicker:
it’s not the outcome that matters first—it’s the repetitions!
The Myth of the One-and-Done
Raise your hand if you’ve ever said:
“We tried that already, it didn’t work.”
Now take that hand and give yourself a playful smack on the forehead.
Trying something once isn’t enough. Your team doesn’t magically change after a single conversation, and neither do you. Growth lives in repetition, reflection, and refinement.
Let’s be clear: I’m not talking about aimless repetition or clinging to broken processes. I’m talking about practicing with purpose. Trying new leadership approaches enough that you can truly see if they stick—or need a tweak.
Practice Makes… Momentum
Want your team to be more self-sufficient?
Practice delegation.
Want coaching sessions to be more impactful?
Practice asking better questions.
Want to improve your leadership presence in the virtual space?
Practice intentional communication.
None of these shift with one heroic effort. But five messy reps? That’s where the bounce begins.
3 Areas Worth Practicing
Here are three high-impact, low-effort areas you can start experimenting with:
- Feedback Frequency:
Stop waiting for formal reviews. Practice giving micro-feedback every day—one sentence, one nudge, one “hey, that was sharp.” - Onboarding Refresh:
Even if you don’t have a new hire this month, practice a 30-minute onboarding-style check-in with a seasoned rep. What do they wish they had learned sooner? - Level-Up Your 1:1s:
Instead of the same old pipeline talk, practice one new question each week. Try: “What’s one thing you’re curious about in your role right now?”
“What feels harder than it should?”
“What would you do differently if you were running the team?”
Spring Into Action Challenge #2:
Pick one of the three areas above and commit to five imperfect repetitions over the next two weeks.
Track what works, what flops, and what surprises you.
Then share your learnings with your team.
Because you’re not aiming for perfect.
You’re building bounce.