The Player Development Role is Great—But It’s Not What Creates the Impact
The role may open doors, but your purpose is what changes lives.
Last week, someone reached out and asked,
“Have you found a role that fits what you’re looking for?”
It was a kind and thoughtful message. But my reply surprised even me:
“I’m not interested in a role at the moment. I’m currently creating more impact than I ever did in any role I’ve been approached about. When the time is right, it will align. If it aligns. But right now, I have too much impact momentum to waste.”
That’s when it hit me—and I hope it hits you today, too:
You don’t need a title to make a difference. You don’t need a role to be impactful. You are the impact.
The Role Doesn’t Create the Impact—You Do.
For years after I stepped away from a player development role, I carried this pressure:
“I need to get back in a role. That’s where the impact is.”
I believed the title, the logo, the access… that was the path to changing lives.
But I was wrong.
I didn’t see it at first, but slowly, my perspective shifted. I looked up at the 2025 Player Development Summit—Faith Gurdon and others were sharing how many athletes they serve, and they said something I’ll never forget:
“Edward helped me serve them better.”
We started counting the reach—600 athletes… then 800… then 1,200…
By the time we finished, the number had crossed 2,000.
That’s impact.
And none of it came from a job title.
To the One Who’s Still Waiting on a Role…
If you’re reading this and waiting for the right job to make an impact, I see you.
I want you in that role. I’m rooting for you. I’m building content and systems to help you get there.
But I also want to speak some truth into you today:
You don’t have to wait.
If you’re at a high school or a small college—impact is in your presence.
If you’re volunteering at a youth program—impact is in your consistency.
If you’re serving athletes with no budget, no recognition—impact is in your heart.
The role is just a vehicle.
You are the engine.
What’s Next for Me?
Truthfully, I don’t know.
Maybe the right role will come. And if it does, I’ll bring all this momentum into that space and make even more impact.
But maybe it won’t.
And I’m finally okay with that.
Because I know now that my ability to transform lives doesn’t begin or end with a paycheck or a staff directory listing. The work I’m doing right now—through Beyond the Field, through the Summit, through every piece of content I put out—is changing lives. Globally.
I used to crave the in-person, day-to-day player development moments.
Now I realize:
I’m equipping the people who get to live those moments.
And that’s impact on another level.
So Here’s Your Monday Reminder…
Don’t let not having a title make you doubt the power of your presence.
You are the culture-changer.
You are the spark.
You are the one who makes people feel seen, valued, and prepared for life.
Whether it’s this year, next year, or never—you will make impact with or without a role.
And as always, like I say at the end of every Player Development Pod:
Go out and create generational impact.
Don’t wait—create that generational impact today.
P.S.
If this resonated with you, forward it to someone who’s in the waiting room. Someone who thinks they’re behind because they don’t have a title. Let them know—they already have what they need to make a difference.