You know what separates leaders who make things happen from those who simply watch things unfold? It’s their ability to hang around the hoop—to stay positioned right where the action matters most.
I picked up this phrase from an NBA analyst describing what made certain prospects so valuable. He said the best players were always positioning themselves to be in the right place at the right time, ready to make something happen. That idea stuck with me, because it’s exactly what effective leaders do.
Now think about the opposite. Picture players standing beyond the three-point line, waiting for the ball to somehow bounce their way. They’re spectators, not participants. The only way they get involved is if someone closer to the hoop—the place where decisions and outcomes are actually shaped—passes it out to them.
That’s not leadership.
That’s waiting for leadership to happen to you.
So what does it look like to hang around the hoop as a leader?
1. HANG AROUND THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
You’ve probably heard the saying, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. I tell this to my kids all the time, but it applies just as strongly to us as leaders.
It’s easy to get comfortable with familiar circles—people who think like us, affirm us, and don’t challenge us. But growth requires intentional proximity to people who stretch our thinking, challenge our assumptions, and model what’s possible. Don’t settle for what’s convenient. Seek out people who are ahead of you, different from you, and willing to tell you the truth. That’s where real leadership growth happens.
2. HANG AROUND THE RIGHT RESOURCES.
If you’re reading this blog post, you’re already taking a step in the right direction. But here’s my challenge: stop waiting for your organization to develop you.
Your personal growth is your personal responsibility. Preparation always precedes opportunity. What books are shaping your thinking? What podcasts are sharpening your leadership instincts? What voices are helping you grow right now—not someday? The resources are out there, and many of them are free. Position yourself around content that meets you where you are and pushes you where you need to go.
3. HANG AROUND THE RIGHT PRIORITIES.
Activity is not accomplishment. We live in a world full of motion, noise, and distraction. Did you know people in the U.S. spend an average of eleven hours a day interacting with media? Some of that may be valuable—but much of it competes directly with what matters most.
Leaders don’t drift toward impact; they move toward it intentionally. They know where the ball is, and they direct their time and energy accordingly. Hanging around the hoop means regularly asking: Is this important, or is it just urgent? Great leaders protect their priorities because they understand that focus determines results.
4. MAINTAIN THE RIGHT FOCUS.
When you’re under the hoop, you’re not distracted by what’s happening at the three-point line. You’re watching the trajectory of the ball before it even reaches the rim.
Great rebounders don’t wait for the ball to hit—they anticipate where it’s going to land. Leadership works the same way. We have to maintain multiple layers of focus: inward on our own growth, relationally on our people, and outward on where the organization is heading. Leaders who hang around the hoop see what’s coming before others do—and they’re ready to respond.
5. KEEP THE RIGHT MINDSET ABOUT MISTAKES.
If you’re close to the action, you’re going to make mistakes. That’s just part of leadership. The difference is how you interpret them.
John Maxwell taught us to fail forward—when you fall, you gain three feet. One organization we work with has a phrase posted on their wall that I love: “We Make New Mistakes.” That mindset gives people permission to try, learn, and grow. When leaders normalize learning instead of perfection, innovation increases and fear decreases.
Here’s the bottom line: hanging around the hoop takes intentionality. You have to position yourself deliberately, prepare yourself consistently, and know what you’re going to do when the moment comes.
Get in the game.
Stay close to the action.
That’s where leaders are made.
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