Four Questions Every Player Development Professional Must Ask Before 2026
A year-end reflection for player development professionals who want clarity, growth, and direction in 2026
It is the end of 2025.
And as you head into 2026, if you are currently working in a player development role, there are four questions you need to sit down and ask yourself before the new year begins.
These are not trendy questions.
These are not social media questions.
These are reflection questions I asked myself throughout my time in the role and still ask myself personally every year.
If you skip these, you are likely to repeat the same frustrations, the same blind spots, and the same mistakes in a new calendar year.
So slow down.
Grab a notebook.
And actually answer these.
1. What Was the Highlight of the Year?
Before you rush into planning, goal setting, or fixing what went wrong, you need to identify your highlight.
Not just accomplishments.
Not just what looked good externally.
Not just what other people praised.
What was your highlight?
Was it:
Creating a piece of programming that finally clicked
A player coming into your office and opening up
A coach finally understanding the value of your role
A moment where you felt aligned and confident in what you were building
This matters because too many people skip their wins and carry unnecessary weight into the next year.
You need to see the win before you set the vision.
2. What Was the Biggest Mistake You Made This Year?
Yes. You need to answer this honestly.
You are going to make mistakes in player development.
I did. Everyone does.
The problem is not the mistake.
The problem is refusing to name it.
What decision hurt your momentum?
What boundary did you fail to set?
What conversation did you avoid?
What situation drained you longer than it should have?
I learned early that my biggest mistakes often became my biggest lessons, and eventually, some of my biggest highlights.
But only because I identified them.
You cannot learn from what you refuse to acknowledge.
3. What Was Your Biggest Area of Improvement?
This question forces you to see growth, not just gaps.
Where did you improve this year?
As a communicator
As a leader
As a program builder
As a relationship manager
What did others notice about you that was different than last year?
Bonus reflection (3B):
What is the biggest area you want to improve going into 2026?
Be specific.
Be honest.
Be realistic.
Growth does not happen by accident. It happens with intention.
4. What Direction Do You Look Forward to in 2026?
This is not about detailed goals yet.
This is about direction.
Every year in player development is different.
New players
New staff
New coaches
New dynamics
New expectations
So ask yourself:
What do I want player development to look like in 2026?
What do I want to lead differently?
What do I want to protect?
What do I want to build or refine?
Direction gives you permission to say yes to the right things and no to the wrong ones.
Final Thought
These four questions are not busy work.
They are leadership work.
Sit with them.
Write your answers down.
Revisit them.
And if, as you answer these, you realize:
You want guidance
You want accountability
You want someone to walk with you through this next season
Email me at edward@btfprogram.com.
I would love to connect and see how I can support you through coaching or consulting as you head into 2026.
Happy New Year.
Answer the questions.
And let’s go into 2026 with clarity.