Written by Roger Jowett, Brainiact Mascot business coach
“If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” That may sound dramatic, but in the world of business, it’s often true. Just as the human body regenerates and declines, so too does a business. And without growth – intentional, focused, and energising growth – businesses inevitably start to slip backwards.
As a former CEO and now a Brainiact business coach, I’ve worked with countless leaders and small business owners across different industries. And I can tell you this: cultivating a growth mindset is the most powerful investment you can make – not just in yourself, but in your people and your business.
Why growth is not optional
Let’s face it – costs are going up. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, nearly half of all Australian businesses reported increases in their operating expenses following COVID. Add to that continued inflation, and standing still financially means you’re effectively going backwards.
At a bare minimum, you need to grow just to keep your head above water. That means reviewing your pricing to stay in line with rising costs, protecting your margins, and maintaining profitability.
But true growth goes further. It’s about increasing market share, reinvesting in your team and systems, developing new products or services, and ultimately building a sustainable, resilient business. Growth gives you options. And options create freedom.
What is a growth mindset?
Coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, a “growth mindset” refers to the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort, learning, and persistence. As Dweck explains in the Harvard Business Review, it’s not just about praising effort – it’s about fostering a belief system that supports resilience, adaptability, and long-term development. In business, it’s about:
- embracing challenges
- learning from mistakes
- seeking continuous improvement
- staying curious and open to new ideas.
It’s not reserved for the founder or the sales team. A growth mindset should exist at every level – from your admin assistant who triple-checks an invoice to your site manager who looks for better ways to do the job.
If you’re the only one in your business with a growth mindset, it’s exhausting. It’s like trying to row a boat full of passengers who aren’t picking up a paddle.
How to cultivate it across your team
A big part of my coaching work involves helping business owners foster this growth mindset across their entire team. Here’s how:
1. Start with the ‘Why’
Leaders often push for growth without explaining why. Is it because you’ve got a tax bill to pay? A loan to cover? Or are you building a business you can one day sell?
Whatever the reason, share it. People rally behind purpose, not pressure. Help your team understand the bigger picture.
2. Make everyone a stakeholder in growth
Everyone in your business contributes to growth – whether they realise it or not. The accounts team who ensures timely invoicing, the warehouse staff who pack orders right the first time, the receptionist who gives a great first impression – these touchpoints all drive retention and reputation. Show your team how their work ties to growth. Help them see their impact.
I worked with one business where the admin team began double-checking invoices before they were sent – purely from a shift in mindset. One of them said, “If we get it right the first time, that’s one less credit note, one less complaint, and one more reason for the client to trust us.” That’s growth thinking at work. No sales pitch, no front-line hustle – just precision and pride in the back office.
3. Create a culture of accountability and curiosity
Encourage questions. Reward initiative. Celebrate wins – no matter how small.
If someone notices a client placing double their usual order, get curious. Why the spike? Can we lean into that opportunity?
And don’t punish mistakes. Instead, treat them as a learning opportunity. The goal is to avoid repeating the same mistake twice, not to create a culture of fear.
4. Surround yourself with the right people
If your business is in a fast-growth phase, you need people who get energised by change – not paralysed by it.
One Brainiact business coaching client I work with was scaling rapidly. Sales were booming, the team was hungry, and everyone was focused on acquiring new clients. But without the right operational support, the business wobbled. Every win came with growing pains. It wasn’t until we slowed things down, clarified the structure, and added the right people in the right seats that the business found stability. Now, they’re scaling with confidence – not chaos. That’s why surrounding yourself with the right team – those who run toward opportunity, not away from it – is critical.
Sometimes, it also means knowing when to let go of clients or team members who drain your energy or stall momentum. Growth takes energy. Protect yours.
What if you’re not wired that way?
Not every business owner starts with a growth mindset. Some are worn down, overwhelmed, or just don’t know where to begin. That’s okay. According to Stanford University’s Teaching Commons, a growth mindset can be cultivated over time – through small changes in how we think, lead, and learn.
If your business has been flat – or worse, declining – the first step is mindset. You need to shift from “I’m stuck” to “I’m responsible.” Then you create time to focus on growth. That means delegating, upskilling your team, and letting go of being the bottleneck.
You must also get comfortable with rejection. Growth involves sales. And sales can be tough. But it’s also incredibly energising when you learn to celebrate the wins and push through the setbacks.
Growth without burnout
Not all growth is good growth. A common mistake is setting unrealistic growth targets that only lead to frustration and burnout. Be smart.
Growth should be deliberate, aligned with your capacity, and well-paced. It’s better to grow steadily and keep your clients (and team) happy than to expand quickly and unravel.
Remember: a growth mindset isn’t about sprinting – it’s about showing up consistently with intent, discipline, and adaptability.
The mindset that moves you forward
Growth isn’t just a financial strategy – it’s a mindset, a culture, and a way of doing business. From the top down and bottom up, everyone has a role to play.
I often say to business owners: “You can do a really hard day’s work and feel energised – when it’s focused on the right things.” And few things are more energising than building something that gets better, stronger, and more valuable over time.
Whether you’re looking to expand, sell, or simply build a business that thrives without you, a growth mindset will get you there. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Your future success depends on the mindset you adopt today.
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Roger Jowett is a Brainiact business coach and former CEO of Motion Asia Pacific. With over 35 years of global leadership experience, Roger specialises in strategy, succession, operational performance, and helping small to medium business owners achieve sustainable growth.
