Cultivating a CEO Growth Mindset

It goes without saying, "Anything that is not growing - is dying."

Putting it in a bit more positive light.

By planning to grow, you're also planning for:

• Your organization's longevity and relevance
• An energized and engaged team
• Increased efficiency and decreased stress
• And - most of all - increased prosperity.

But here's the secret.

Growth is not a one-time push. It's a sustained, consistent effort.

So the question is, how can you make growth a priority—not just once, but continuously?

You Need a CEO Growth Mindset

Growth is defined and executed through solid strategic planning

But growth starts with your mindset.

Business Leaders who have a "growth mindset" set growth as an essential priority. Not something that will magically happen by the end of the year.

They have an attitude and expectation to win, which energizes them (and in turn, their team) to make the decisions and investments necessary?for growth.

It's a focused, habitual way of thinking about their business that undergirds everything they do.?

And it leads - to growth.

3 Steps to Developing a CEO Growth Mindset

While you might not be there today, there are steps you can take to develop a?growth mindset. Like anything, it's a process that just takes practice.

Step 1: Play Out The Current Reality

Start by regularly taking time to play out what your current organization would?look like in the future. Ask yourself these questions:

• What happens if the status quo remains - and never changed?
• What if the business - never improved, never got more profitable?
• What happens if I - continue working as I do now with the same returns?

Maybe your answers are satisfying - but maybe they're a little troubling.?

That brings us to Step 2.

Step 2: Envision a Different Future

Michael Gerber, author of The E-Myth, encourages Business Leaders to?“think like an entrepreneur”, not the just person burdened with making your business generate revenue.?

That means regularly dreaming of new possibilities and "what if's"- not just the cold, hard numbers. Ask yourself:

• What would life look like - if X about my business changed?
• In one year (or two or five), the staff is all gathered and we're popping
• What altruistic good do I wish my business could do in the world?

Doing these exercises like these is sort of like imagining what you would do?-?if you were dating your spouse all over again.?

It takes you out of the humdrum - and gives you fresh inspiration.

Step 3: Develop a Growth Plan - And Put It On Your To-Do List

Thinking "about growth" habitually - doesn't just happen.?

But thinking about your to-do list? Well, no doubt, you're probably a pro at that.

After you've had these brainstorming sessions about how you'd like things to be different, you need to set your North Star - or the goal that most energizes you -?and make a plan of how to get there.?

For example, if you need to grow revenue to hit your goal, work it back like this:

• If X is my goal - how much more revenue do I need to make that happen?
• Given my average rate of sale - how many more sales does that equate to?
• What systems, processes, or people would I need or improve to get that

And keep breaking it down from there.?

You then need to prioritize and schedule the steps and actions to take.

Finally, structure (or restructure) your resources accordingly.

The Bottom Line

Growth doesn't "just happen".?

It's something you have to prioritize:

• In your daily decisions,
• In the management of your team, and
• In the allocation of your resources.

You can't be committed to growth, but freeze the moment you have to actually make an investment.?

Nor can you make the financial investment, but not first invest your time in rethinking your business mission or model.?

It's a focused, courageous effort.

But in the end - totally worth it.

To your success.

What do you think?

Use the comment area below and share your experience or advice on this topic.

Like to learn more? Need some new approaches to growing your business?

Request: The Ultimate Growth Strategy Guide: 3 Keys to Avoid Spending Time, Money & Resources Going in the Wrong Direction.

Contact me at 480-766-1772 or [email protected] .

Rich Kohler is a Business Growth Expert. His company, Kohler Consulting Group specializes in helping CEOs and Marketing Executives of Mid-Market Aerospace & Defense, Hi-Tech firms who want to accelerate or recapture growth momentum, build a clear roadmap to achieve faster, more sustainable, profitable growth.

A former Fortune 500 Executive, he has helped BAE SYSTEMS, Eaton, GE Aviation, Smiths PLC, Transdigm address stalled growth, flat-lined revenues, declining profit margins; take a step back to more clearly & confidently navigate complex and rapidly changing markets, intensifying competition - reduce the uncertainty and risk around their strategy.

We apply a comprehensive CEO perspective to attack growth on multiple fronts, utilize proprietary & globally proven systems, methodology and combine consulting, coaching, and training to produce significant near-term results. We focus first on enhancing profitability, then pursue growth.? We also apply a unique approach - designing customized strategies “Built from Within” that are right for your business - fully leverage your unique organization capabilities…so you can accelerate profitability and sales growth in any economy.

Serious about accelerating your growth - and moving to that next level of success? ?Contact Rich at: [email protected].