One Small Step

During her illustrious 25-year career as Oklahoma women’s basketball coach, Sherri Coale imparted countless lessons on her players. Now, the Hall-of-Famer is sharing her wisdom on her blog, www.sherricoale.com.

Recently, she posted this seemingly simple but critical graphic that illuminates the challenge so many of us face each day.

Coale recognizes the importance of small steps over giant leaps. She knows the idea of consistent action seems basic, but is actually difficult — and essential — to creating lasting change within our teams and in our own lives.

Only by consistently following through on daily habits can we create a sustained pattern of behavior that becomes the standard for those we lead.

Through these little gains, we limit our pre-occupation with the scoreboard, or earnings, or anything in the distance.

In our leadership journeys, we must always be the tortoise in the race, determined, unwavering, committed, and most of all, consistent.

No one understands this better than Coale, who followed the ladder’s steps to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

She was first a successful high school coach in Norman, Okla., drawing the attention of the big university. She was then the surprise hire in 1996 tasked with revitalizing a dormant and floundering program that had been discontinued briefly just years before.

When Coale stepped foot on campus, there was little, if any, interest in Sooner women’s hoops. That changed one day at a time, and before long, she had OU at the top of the ladder.

Coale never worried about her lack of Division 1 experience or that the program was a mess in the years leading up to her arrival. For her, it really was always about one day. One day to take one step forward. One day to not overstep. One day to show progress.

It’s a simple formula, one we’re all aware of, but one that we tend to gloss over.

Let this ladder serve as a reminder that no matter our present challenges, no matter how hopeless our situation may seem, we need to continue stepping.  

One day at a time.

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