In business, as in sports, it’s not just about the stars on the court. It’s about the team behind them.
And too often, leaders forget this.
Every time I watch a game and hear the announcers say, “The bench contributed 17 points tonight,” I think about business owners and leadership teams. Because in a winning organization, it’s not just your front-line talent that determines success—it’s your depth.
Ask yourself:
Who’s on your bench? And are you developing them—or just hoping they stay warm?
What Bench Strength Really Means in Business
Bench strength is not just a feel-good HR phrase.
It’s a key growth lever.
It refers to the people on your team who aren’t in leadership roles yet, however, one day will be.
The ones with potential. The ones watching. The ones who, with the right development, could step up and lead.
You might not need them today. But if someone gets promoted, moves on, burns out, or the business grows…
You’re going to need more leaders.
And the cost of not having them ready?
- Slower execution
- Owner burnout
- Gaps in quality
- Internal confusion
- And sometimes, lost productivity and revenue
Why Most Businesses Don’t Prioritize the Bench
The reality is, most business owners are running full speed, all the time.
You’re putting out fires, closing deals, hiring, and managing.
It’s easy to think:
“I’ll train someone when I need them.”
But by then, it’s too late.
Leadership is not a plug-and-play position.
The person who crushes sales might crash in a manager role.
The admin who’s organized may still struggle with leading people.
That’s why bench development needs to happen long before the promotion.
You’re not just teaching skills. You’re building capacity. You’re shaping culture. You’re creating continuity.
This Is the Difference Between Growth and Scale
Any business can grow with hustle.
But if you want to scale? If you want your business to function without you doing everything?
You need people. Real people. Trained people. Empowered people.
That’s what a strong bench gives you.
It gives you optionality. It gives you freedom.
It means when your business hits its next ceiling, someone else besides you can break through it.
So, start now:
- Who are your high-potential team members?
- What are you doing to stretch them?
- When’s the last time you gave someone leadership exposure—before giving them leadership responsibility?
Because here’s the truth:
Your next manager isn’t going to be recruited. They’re going to be grown.
And If You’re On the Bench…
Let’s flip the script for a second.
If you’re a team member who’s not yet in leadership, don’t wait to be discovered.
Start acting like the next hire. Show initiative. Learn. Speak up. Look for problems to solve and own the solution.
Because one day, your number is going to be called.
And how you show up then is how you’ll be remembered.
Final Thoughts
Championship teams are not built in the spotlight.
They’re built in practice.
In the locker room.
On the bench.
As a business owner, you’re not just managing today’s performance—you’re building tomorrow’s capacity.
Your bench is not just a backup plan.
It’s the proof that your business is built to last.
So… are you building the bench?
Or just hoping your starters never get tired?
COACH MICHAEL DILL is an Award-Winning Certified Business Coach, global speaker, and published author. He is a proud ActionCOACH Franchise Partner as well as the President of Power & Ice Wealth Creation, a strategic leadership company that works with business owners, leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs to build systematized, structured organizations while accelerating mindset, efficiency, and effectiveness to achieve extraordinary results.
BusinessCoachMichaelDill.com