Is Weeding the Only Way to Grow? How To Stop Self-Limiting Growth Choices

By: Betsy Buckley

Posted on 04/16/2010 - 11:04am | From the Growth Strategy Blog

 Last weekend, I spent nearly three hours outside, raking dead leaves out of the gardens and pulling what I thought were weeds, but rather tulips and daffodils were popping out. No surprise, the dandelions were way ahead of them...and, so they got my attention first. Later on Sunday night, I started wondering: "Was it smart to get rid of the weeds first? Did that give me the motivation and energy to keep going? And, perhaps, most importantly, will that give me the gardens I really want?"

The same question could be asked about business strategic growth. How do we know when it's time to weed, fertilize, even plant anew? What are the resources we're going to tap first? Where's the spark that fuels us move forward?

What resources are your typical go-to solutions? Whether it's cutting back (and lay offs have been solution #1---and, often the only one--- for many companies during this economic period) or adding new seeds, most leaders tend to draw on what I call the standard six-pack of solutions.

• The existing inner circle/management committee/ leadership team
• A current/former advisor or mentor
• Online industry research
• A published author in your field
• An out-of-market competitor
• And, when all else fails, a fortune cookie or daily horoscope

Why are these options not enough for real growth?

• All of these resources (okay, maybe not the fortune cookie) see the world as we do, and are likely to affirm our own ideas. They're in our box... and, it's usually way too small to help us think big.
• We're likely to be linear thinkers--- and, so are they. What we really need is help expanding our thought process. As Edward De Bono, the founder of lateral thinking, said; "You can't dig a hole in a new place by digging the same hole deeper".

• There's little about the resources above that suggests they'll step out and challenge us to see a different, bigger world.

In short, they're not triggers for change. And, there's very little real growth that comes without change.

So, what to do?

• If you really want to sell more, start selling inside first. Go to your employees, your suppliers, your clients/customers. Seek their counsel. You'd be surprised how much innovative thinking is right next to you... especially if you ask for it. And, once you've asked for their help and taken their advice, keep the dialogue open for other changes.
• Broaden your view. See your resource network as far broader following this pattern suggested by the folks at InnovationPoint. Their notion of the one day Thought Leader Panel is designed to stretch thinking by introducing the fresh thinking of external practitioners, visionaries and provocateurs.  
• Challenge your colleagues. If you all keep reading the same magazines, going to the same professional association meetings and hanging out with the same professionals, you'll keep doing the same things. Switch it up. Encourage people to find new sources for learning.

Back to the garden. What did I do to go beyond my own solution six-pack?

• Talked to a friend who was an industrial designer who helped me rethink color and design for the outside.
• Sent an email to a friend whose company used a commercial gardening company to see how they approached things.
• Changed my "always on the freeway" traffic patterns, and stopped and took pictures of other gardens.

Easy. Not hard. Fun. Not painful. Different. And, the wildflower seeds I'm ordering from Ireland are definitely going to bring some proof to the pudding. Want more growth? Change how you go after it...and, let me know what's working for you.