Last week, I found myself dusting off an old VHS tape—yes, a relic from another era. Thankfully I still had a player that works and watched my son’s under-13 football grand final, AFL of course. As I watched, something struck me beyond reminiscing.

My son had joined the team as a raw recruit, seemingly outmatched in skill but blessed with height. His coach saw something others missed—not the player he was, but the player he could become. By season’s end, he was standing as first ruck, making pivotal contributions as his team came from behind to snatch victory in the final minutes.

Watching that grainy footage, I remembered again what needs to be built into every emerging leader’s program: the transformative power of believing in someone before they believe in themselves.

It’s an insight that shapes the heart of my Alongside Mentoring approach. In our current leadership landscape—marked by unprecedented turnover and complexity—technical skills alone won’t suffice. What emerging leaders truly need is someone who sees their latent potential, who believes not just in their current capabilities but in their future possibilities.

Just as his coach spotted potential in my gangly son, senior leaders need to recognise tomorrow’s excellence hiding in today’s uncertainty. It’s not about waiting for proof of ability; it’s about nurturing the conditions where potential can unfold.

Profound leadership development occurs in these spaces of belief. It is the place where someone stands alongside us, seeing what we cannot yet see in ourselves. This is the foundation upon which confidence grows, where risks are taken, and transformation occurs.

Each quarter, I partner with an organisation to implement my “Alongside” approach—creating environments where seasoned leaders learn to recognise and nurture hidden potential, just as that coach did with my son all those years ago.

Are you ready to transform how your organisation cultivates tomorrow’s leaders?

If believing in possibility before it manifests speaks to you more than waiting for proven performance, let’s explore this journey together. Reach out via email or phone so we can make at ime to connect.