Leadership Isn't One and Done: Why Growth Is a Constant Process

“Shouldn’t I Have This Figured Out by Now?”

How many times have you caught yourself thinking (or saying outloud), "Why am I still working on this? Why don’t I have this mastered yet?"

It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that leadership—or any kind of personal growth—is something you learn once and then you’re set for life. 

It’s tempting for me to be critical in a moment of overwhelm saying to myself, “I know better. Why can’t I get this one.” 

But here’s the reality: leadership isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s a set of skills that need to be worked out to develop and grow. 

Think about it—do you put gas in your car just once and expect it to last forever? 

Do you charge your phone once and assume it’ll never need power again? Of course not. So why do we expect our leadership abilities to work any differently?

If I don’t use a particular skill, like playing piano, I may get a little rusty. If I go to play a song that I haven’t touched in a while, it may take my fingers a few extra minutes to get “it” back. 

Leadership skills are really no different. 

The Myth of “Arriving” as a Leader

Somewhere along the way, we pick up this idea that great leaders just have it. That once you reach a certain level, the challenges disappear, the self-doubt fades, and everything runs smoothly.

But if you look at the leaders you admire most, you’ll notice something—they never stop learning, adjusting, and growing.

Every new season, role, or challenge requires a different version of you. What worked last year might not be enough for where you’re headed next.

Let's relate this back to the outdoors. No matter how many mountains we climb, every new one still demands effort, energy, and sweat.

Hiking to Portage Glacier in Alaska

The incline doesn’t get easier just because you can say you've done it before. Yet, we never stand there criticizing ourselves, thinking, You’ve done this before—why is it still hard? 

That’s just not how it works. The challenge is always there, and trying to fight that reality actually makes the climb harder.

Growth isn’t about eliminating the struggle—it’s about building the strength to keep going, one step at a time.

The more you hike, the more you will realize that a lighter bag does wonders.

Similar to leadership, the more tips and tricks we can pick up along the way to add to our skill set, the more prepared we will be for the next challenge.

Leadership Needs Fuel

If your car is running low on gas, you don’t panic—you pull into a gas station and fill up. If your phone battery is draining, you don’t sit there frustrated—you plug it in.

Leadership works the same way. You need regular refueling—through learning, mentorship, real-world experience, and yes, even making mistakes.

Maybe your current challenge isn’t a sign that you’re failing. Maybe it’s just a sign that it’s time to refuel.

The Power of Consistent Growth

The best leaders aren’t the ones who have it all figured out; they’re the ones who stay committed to the process. 

They:

✅ Seek wisdom—through books, mentors, and experiences.

✅ Ask for help—because leadership isn’t meant to be done alone.

✅ Take action—because knowledge without action doesn’t change anything.

If you feel like you’re circling the same challenges or facing new ones that stretch you, good. That means you’re growing. Leadership isn’t about reaching a finish line—it’s about staying in the race.

So, What’s Your Next “Refuel”?

Take a moment to check in with yourself. Where are you running low? What’s the next thing you can do to pour back into your leadership growth?

Maybe it’s picking up a book that challenges your thinking. Maybe it’s having an honest conversation with a mentor. Maybe it’s simply giving yourself grace and recognizing that growth takes time.

Whatever it is, just don’t stop moving. 

Keep learning, keep leading, and remember—arriving isn’t the goal.