Thoughts On Growth

You cannot give up on growth. As hard as it may seem, you just can't.

If you and your firm are not growing or don't have a growth mindset, there really is nowhere to go but down. Maybe not at first, but eventually your business will atrophy and at best become something that does not excite you or your team.

I've witnessed this happening to a client or two, and to me, it just isn't fun being a caretaker. It's like settling for something less than what could have been.

Honestly, it's like playing small ball. I'm not in the least bit interested in playing small.

When you challenge yourself personally or challenge your team to go out on those skinny branches (you know, the area outside your comfort zone), that's when quantum growth can happen. Don't be in a rush, though. It may take time, years even, to see the fruit of your labor.

Think of growth as like going to the gym. The constancy and frequency of physical exercise, and changing up the routines from time to time, produce results.

Consistency is a must and when aligned with a clear vision of what growth looks like for your company success is more likely to happen and not be accidental or haphazard. Let's call it Intentional Growth.

For every problem, there is a solution.

Sometimes in decision-making, the best path is the one of least resistance. I usually follow this path. But there are times when taking on the more difficult is the better choice.

Why? Because the stakes are higher, the growth potential is greater, and the path to getting there will make your firm better. Just know that there are never ideal circumstances (usually). They are seldom and far between.

VUCA

Volatility is accelerating. There is Uncertainty in every situation. Complexity is greater. Ambiguity is profound. None of this is likely to change for the foreseeable future.

If you're waiting for the right time, or the right data or the right whatever it is that is causing you to hold back or procrastinate, you will miss the chance to seize the opportunity or limit the risk. Wanting everything to be perfect ( I don't like this word, perfect) before you take action is like wanting to take a trip and reach a wonderful destination without ever getting on the plane. It's not going to happen.

Getting on the plane, i.e. taking the journey, is every bit as important as reaching the destination. It's where the growth happens.

If you wait for your preconceived notion of "the perfect time" to occur then you likely will be waiting forever.

Solutions?

Take action now. Embrace innovation. Build a mindset and culture of innovation and don't forget the processes to make it happen.

Fail, Forward, Fast ( and hopefully cheaply). Mistakes and failures are part of the growth process so embrace them.

If things seem under control, you're just not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti

Don't fear partial solutions. Chunk it down and take manageable actions, the next logical step, to make progress toward achievement and success. This gives you options on when and how to pivot.

Engage, Engage, Engage. Don't go it alone. Engage with your team at several levels because great ideas and improvements can come from anywhere in your organization.

Success will happen. Intentional growth will happen.

Here's to your firm's growth in the twenty-first century!

Until Next Time