Chop Wood, Carry Water: A Leadership Reminder from Kyrie Irving

In life, we often find ourselves thrust into roles of leadership and influence, driven by our talents, circumstances and timing.

But readiness to lead isn't always a given. As the saying goes, "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things."

Kyrie Irving, a 13-year veteran and current Dallas Mavericks star, recently reflected on his time with the Boston Celtics, admitting, "I wasn't my best self."

Now, he seeks his second NBA championship as the NBA Finals begin on Thursday.

Irving's candid acknowledgment of his personal growth and self-discovery journey offers valuable lessons for us as leaders.

Irving's transformation, both on and off the court, highlights the importance of self-improvement and self-leadership.

“When you look at Kyrie, we don’t see that perception of what’s been written in the past,” Mavericks Coach Jason Kidd said. “What he’s doing is rewriting his journey and you can see that."

Whether you admire Irving as a player or agree with his beliefs, his journey of continuous improvement can resonate with us. We, as leaders, can learn from his emphasis on the process.

When Irving arrived in Dallas in 2023 after a rocky four-year stint with the Brooklyn Nets, he mentioned in a press conference, "It's about eliminating external distractions... and just focusing on the process itself, and enjoying every single day. Chopping wood, carrying water. Greatness is not meant for a few chosen people. It's meant for those who persistently pursue their dreams every day and make that choice when they wake up."

In a society fixated on instant gratification, shortcuts, and bypassing the work, we as leaders must champion the value of the process in our daily behavior and messaging.

Author Joshua Medcalf captures this essence in his book "Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming Great." He describes the necessity of consistent effort, likening it to the growth of a bamboo tree—slow, steady, and often invisible.

There will be moments on our leadership and self-discovery journeys where we can't see the progress and the growth. But it's crucial to trust the process with consistency, show up and do the work without excuses, and continue "chopping wood and carrying water." This daily grind builds the foundation for sustained excellence and holistic breakthroughs.

As leaders, it is our responsibility to not just embrace but also advocate for this philosophy and mentality. Doing so not only fosters our personal growth but also empowers our teams to commit to the journey.

The path to greatness isn't a sprint; it's a marathon requiring deeper persistence, belief, resiliency and a love for the process. And like Irving, we are all works in progress — attempting to better understand ourselves and this game called life and leadership.

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