He walked into my office, shoulders heavy, eyes clouded with frustration.
For months, he had dreamed of this moment—landing a leadership role in a company he admired, finally stepping into the position he believed would unlock his purpose.
On paper, it was everything he wanted. But just one month in, the glow had already faded. His voice trembled as the truth spilled out:
“I finally got the chance to lead the team I always dreamed of—only to discover the hardest truth: they don’t want to move, grow, or change.”
This isn’t a rare story—it’s one many leaders silently live through. Getting the role is one battle. But igniting growth in a team that has grown comfortable, resistant, or even hostile to change—that’s the real test of leadership. Titles can be given, but influence must be earned.
Here’s the hard truth: settling is contagious. If you spend too long around people who stop reaching, stop stretching, stop dreaming—your fire can dim too.
I’ve asked myself this before: “Why push so hard when everyone else seems okay just coasting?” But here’s the lesson I’ve learned—growth is never just about you.
💡 3 Benefits of Choosing Growth Even When Others Don’t:
- You become a mirror. Your growth challenges others to rethink their limits. Even silent progress is loud inspiration.
- You break the cycle. Every step forward plants a seed for your family, team, or community to aim higher tomorrow.
- You honor your purpose. Settling may satisfy the crowd, but it will never satisfy your soul.
👉 The reality is this: staying small won’t make others bigger. But your growth? It can light a path they didn’t even know was possible.
🧭 A Word to Leaders Stepping Into Comfortable Teams
You may have just been promoted, or asked to lead a department—or even a company—that is satisfied with “the way things have always been.” The standards are low, the fire is gone, and your attempts at innovation are met with resistance.
Staying small won’t make others bigger.
This is one of the hardest leadership terrains, but it’s also where real leaders are forged.
Practical Steps to Lead a Settled Team:
- Cast vision clearly and repeatedly. People can resist change, but they will follow clarity. Paint a picture of where you’re going and why it matters.
- Celebrate small wins. Show the team that growth doesn’t always mean an overhaul—sometimes it’s one small improvement at a time.
- Model the behavior. Outwork, outlearn, and outgrow the resistance. Your consistency will speak louder than your position.
- Engage the willing. Start with those who are open to growth. As they thrive, they’ll influence the rest.
- Challenge respectfully. Don’t attack the comfort zone—ask tough questions that make the team rethink it: “What happens if our competitor outpaces us?” or “What will this department look like in 3 years if we stop improving?”
Remember: a leader’s job is not to maintain comfort—it’s to create movement. And sometimes, being unpopular in the short term is the cost of leading toward long-term impact.
✨ Lesson: Growth is not selfish—it’s service. By refusing to settle, you give others permission to rise.
🚀 Weekly Challenge:
Leaders—pick one area where your team has been “too comfortable” and design a simple 30-day growth initiative. It could be a training, a new metric, or a challenge project. Start small, but start.
“Your fire might be the spark someone else has been waiting for.”
Odhiambo John Omondi Leadership Coach | Culture Strategist | Growth Facilitator 🌐 www.ileadgrowth.com
#TheGrowthSeries #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #OrganizationalCulture #ChangeLeadership #GrowthMindset
Leadership Coach | Culture Strategist | Growth Facilitator | Thought Leader | Founder @ILeadGrowth | Certified Facilitator Beyond Success Kenya | Leadership Coach & Trainer | Motivational Speaker | Author of Broke No More & other transformative works | Mentor to Schools, Universities & Corporate Teams | Personal Growth & Potential Ignition Coach
