In today’s volatile business environment, it’s no longer enough for leaders to simply set bold targets or speak in terms of transformation. True growth—the kind that drives long-term value—comes when leadership mindsets are turned into deliberate, consistent action.
According to a recent McKinsey article, outperforming companies don’t just think differently; they act differently. They’re led by individuals who move beyond ambition and embody five essential mindsets that drive results.
1. Invest in Growth—Even When It’s Hard
The most successful leaders treat growth as a long-term commitment. They prioritise future-focused initiatives even when short-term pressures mount. While 72% of surveyed leaders claim to set aggressive growth goals, most admit they spend only a fraction of their time—just 22%—on long-term growth strategies.
Outperformers buck this trend by making time for future bets, reallocating resources regularly, and communicating growth goals both internally and externally. Growth isn’t a project—it’s the North Star.
2. Be Bold, Act Fast
Speed and audacity are often talked about, but rarely put into practice. McKinsey found that while 79% of leaders say they prioritise quick action over perfection, fewer than a third actually commit resources to bold initiatives during turbulent times.
High-growth companies experiment confidently, fail quickly and affordably, and mobilise talent and capital across unfamiliar, high-potential opportunities. They don’t just tinker around the edges—they bet big and move fast.
3. Let Customers Lead the Way
Customer-centricity isn’t just good branding—it’s good business. Companies that lead with the customer experience grow twice as fast as those that don’t.
But here’s the catch: while most leaders say they care about customer insights, only 15% consistently use that feedback to guide decision-making. Outperformers go further. They harness AI to predict customer needs, personalise interactions, and turn feedback into product and service innovations. It’s not about listening more; it’s about acting on what you hear.
4. Build a Dream Team for Growth
No strategy succeeds without the right people. Yet nearly 70% of leaders report serious capability gaps, and only 8% have real confidence in their current talent strategies.
Growth leaders treat talent as a growth lever. They reward top performers with visibility and responsibility, even if that means placing them in riskier, less proven areas of the business. They seek fresh thinking from outside industries, and create cultures where failure—when fast and constructive—is seen as progress, not punishment.
5. Execute with Discipline and Clarity
Vision matters, but execution makes the difference. Leaders who succeed in scaling growth strategies establish strong operating rhythms. They use data to track progress, adapt quickly, and hold teams accountable—not only for results, but for learning.
Only 10% of surveyed leaders believe they have the data and insights to truly back their growth efforts. The rest often struggle to translate ambition into reality. Outperformers stand out by building execution into their DNA—derisking growth with agility, transparency, and accountability
Final Thoughts
Achieving sustainable growth is not a sprint. It’s more like getting fit—it requires consistency, resilience, and the ability to push through discomfort. Leaders who win the growth game don’t just set the tone; they take the actions that turn intent into impact.
As the McKinsey article highlights, these five mindsets—prioritising growth, acting boldly, staying customer-obsessed, elevating talent, and executing with rigour—can turn aspiration into sustained transformation.
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Source: Adapted from a McKinsey article- Achieving growth: Putting leadership mindsets and behaviors into action. Click to read more: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/achieving-growth-putting-leadership-mindsets-and-behaviors-into-action
