Hour in the Lobby
August 21, 2025
Sometimes we learn valuable lessons when we least expect them. Take, for example, my client Joe, who recently told me about his experience dropping his young kids off each morning for their weeklong basketball camp. He observed the head coach, who's also a collegiate basketball coach, standing in the lobby, enthusiastically and personally greeting every camper as they arrived. Joe then watched as his kids entered the gym, where student-athletes worked as assistant coaches, greeting the campers and kicking off each day.
Joe appreciated both his kids' excitement about camp and the coach's hour spent in the lobby during morning drop-off. There was no formal structure or instruction provided—those would come later in the gym—yet meaningful learning was still taking place. For the kids, it may have gone unnoticed. For Joe, it was unmistakable.
The coach set a calm, consistent tone at the start of each day, communicating a sense of belonging to the campers and building trust with the parents. And by delegating morning responsibilities to the assistant coaches, he conveyed to them the value each person contributes to the camp's overall success.
After reflecting on the coach's presence and leadership, Joe began thinking about his own leadership and whether his team was as eager to start their day as his kids were to start theirs. He thought about the coach’s intentional practice of showing up, being engaged, setting a positive tone, and how those steady, purposeful qualities shape strong leadership more than any big or bold move.
Joe prides himself on efficiency, so it would’ve been easy to assume he’d see the coach’s hour in the lobby as a poor use of time. But he didn’t. Instead, what he observed challenged that belief. He’s now rethinking what it means to be efficient and recognizing how intentional leadership practices build connections, set a positive tone, and lead to stronger outcomes for himself and his team.
After hearing about the impact this week had on Joe, I wonder who gained more from the basketball camp—him or his kids. While his focus on efficiency is unchanged, how he defines it has—and how that shapes his leadership remains to be seen.
Fundamentals are essential for everyone, basketball players and leaders alike. In Joe's case, going back to the basics means focusing on building stronger connections with each member of his team, starting with the small, consistent moments of connection that strengthen relationships and reinforce the kind of leadership he values. For Joe, this includes figuring out how, like the basketball coach, he will capitalize on the opportunity to create his version of spending an hour in the lobby.