Gradually…Then Suddenly

A medical company achieves an FDA breakthrough. A competitor announces an IPO or major acquisition. Or, on the other end of the spectrum, a dominant player in an industry collapses into bankruptcy (think Kodak or Blockbuster). Even in our personal lives, the “perfect couple” announces their divorce, or a friend shares unexpected news that changes everything.

These moments always feel surprising, yet when we look more closely, there are usually signs — hints of a breakthrough or the slow unraveling before a breakdown. The truth is: most things in life happen gradually…then suddenly.

Take the story of the bamboo shoot. For years, nothing seems to happen above ground. It looks dormant, lifeless. But underground, an expansive and intricate root system is forming, creating the foundation for what’s to come. The latent energy is building, ready to be released. Then, over just a few short months, the bamboo shoots up as much as 36 inches in a single day, reaching heights of 100 feet. The quiet years of unseen preparation lead to explosive growth.

As leaders, what can we learn from this?

• Create the right conditions for growth. The soil, water, and sun all matter. We must cultivate the right environment for our teams. Become a gardener, not a chess master.
• Remember that growth isn’t always visible. As Kobe Bryant said, “You have to work hard in the dark to shine in the light.” Just because fruit isn’t visible doesn’t mean it isn’t being formed.
• Practice the three Ps: Patience, Persistence, Preparation. As Twitter co-founder Biz Stone once said, “Timing, perseverance, and 10 years of hard work make you look like an overnight success.”
• Prepare for rapid ascent. When growth comes, is your foundation strong enough to sustain it? Are your resources aligned to support it?
• Keep growing as a leader. John Maxwell’s “Law of the Lid” reminds us: organizations can only go as far as their leaders are willing to grow. If you want your team to reach new heights, it starts with you.

The world marvels at the sudden moments. The IPO announcement, the overnight success, the breakthrough no one saw coming. But true significance is never built in an instant. It’s formed in the quiet faithfulness of preparation, the steady disciplines that few applaud, the daily choices to grow when no one is watching. As leaders, our call is not to chase the spotlight of the sudden, but to cultivate the substance that endures. Because when the moment arrives the strength of our roots will determine not just how high we rise, but how lasting our impact becomes.