The Compound Effect of Small Choices

We overestimate what we can do in a day. We underestimate what we can do in a year.

This is the compound effect.

Small choices, made consistently, lead to massive change over time. But it's easy to miss because the progress is invisible day to day.

One slightly better conversation doesn't feel significant. But a year of slightly better conversations transforms relationships.

One moment of pause before reacting doesn't feel like growth. But hundreds of those moments change who you are as a leader.

One coaching session doesn't change everything. But a year of coaching changes everything.

I've seen this pattern over and over in my work:

The leaders who transform aren't the ones making dramatic changes. They're the ones making small changes, consistently, over time.

One client I worked with decided to start every one-on-one with a genuine question about the person's life — not just their work. It took 30 seconds.

After a year, his team's engagement scores had transformed. Not because of a big initiative. Because of a small choice, made hundreds of times.

Here's the catch: the compound effect works in both directions. Small negative patterns compound too. The meeting you consistently show up late to. The feedback you consistently avoid giving. The self-care you consistently postpone.

The question isn't whether your choices are compounding. They are.

The question is: what are they compounding toward?

Small choices compound — for better or worse. Learn more about executive coaching or schedule a conversation to explore how to make your daily choices work for you,

not against you.

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