Written by: Brett Lyndon – The Pro Forum Community of Practice
“You’re either green and growing, or ripe and rotting.”
– Ray Kroc
It’s a blunt phrase, but one that captures an uncomfortable truth: growth isn’t something we choose when it’s convenient. In today’s fast-moving, high-pressure environments, growth is essential — not just for performance, but for wellbeing, confidence, and relevance.
The idea that we’re either evolving or stagnating isn’t just a coaching philosophy. It applies at every level of professional life — from frontline staff to senior executives, from established organisations to individuals stepping into leadership. If we’re not learning, we’re slipping. And over time, that slip becomes noticeable — in the way we lead, the way we show up, and the outcomes we produce.
The Discomfort of Growth
Personal and professional growth is rarely smooth. It challenges habits, routines, and identity. It can feel like moving backwards before going forwards. And that’s where many people get stuck.
It’s easy — and entirely human — to resist what feels uncomfortable. But without leaning into that discomfort, we risk becoming stagnant. That stagnation may not show up immediately, but over time it reveals itself in subtle ways:
A growing resistance to feedback.
A reliance on past wins instead of future thinking.
A feeling of being left behind by others who are evolving.
Growth, in contrast, keeps us adaptable. It sharpens our perspective, gives us energy, and reconnects us with a sense of purpose.
Growth Is Not Always Big or Loud
In coaching, we often talk about transformation — but not every shift needs to be seismic. Sometimes growth looks like setting better boundaries, learning a new skill, having a difficult conversation, or getting clearer on what matters most.
It’s also not about fixing what’s broken. In fact, some of the best growth happens when things are already going well — because that’s when we have the space and clarity to stretch. But it takes awareness and intentionality to not coast. To stay green, even when things are comfortable.
The Cost of Coasting
There’s a myth that once we reach a certain level of competence or success, the learning can slow down. But that’s exactly when growth matters most. Not because we have to keep up — but because the people we work with, lead, and serve deserve our best.
When leaders stop growing, teams feel it. Culture flattens. Innovation stalls. Engagement drops. And slowly but surely, the organisation starts showing signs of rot — not because of poor intent, but because the energy to stay curious and adaptable has been lost.
Embedding Growth into the Everyday
So how do we stay green and growing?
Stay Curious: Ask more questions than you answer. Get interested in other perspectives — especially ones that challenge your own.
Schedule Reflection Time: Growth requires space. Build in regular time to step back, assess, and refocus.
Welcome Feedback: Not just the positive stuff. Growth lives in the feedback that stings.
Stretch Responsibly: Choose one or two areas to develop at a time — otherwise, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stall out.
Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People: Whether it’s peers, mentors, or a coach, environment matters. Growth is contagious — and so is complacency.
From Coaching to Culture
In coaching, we often help clients reconnect with who they are and where they’re going. But this isn’t limited to one-on-one conversations. It’s a mindset that can and should exist across whole organisations.
When teams are encouraged to grow, they become more collaborative, more resilient, and more innovative. When growth is normalised — not reserved for performance issues or high-potential programs — it becomes part of the culture. And when leaders model that mindset, it gives permission for others to do the same.
Being “green” isn’t about being inexperienced. It’s about staying open. Staying humble. Staying in motion.
The alternative? Waiting until something breaks, motivation dries up, or irrelevance creeps in.
So the question isn’t whether we should prioritise growth. It’s whether we’re willing to live with the consequences of avoiding it.
You’re either green and growing, or ripe and rotting. It’s a choice — and we make it every day.
What keeps you growing – even when it’s uncomfortable? Share your experience or thoughts in the comments below.
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