Article
Is Your Growth Company Bigger & Stronger?
August 18, 2017
“Deep roots are not reached by frost.” — JRR Tolkien, Lord of the Rings
Leaders involved in growth companies talk a lot about growing bigger. But as they focus on bigger, they forget to be stronger. And, as a result, the company gets weaker the larger it gets.
As I walked with a CEO preparing for a planning session, we passed a spectacular tree that appeared to have a root system as wide as its 150’ to 200’ branches. Beside it was a spindly tree.
As we walked by, the CEO compared his company to the little spindly tree – which could easily have been blown over if a tornado hit — and said that’s exactly what they were when starting out. But the banyan tree, with a root system that was so massive and strong, was ready for anything.
It’s a great metaphor.
As your company grows its revenue, you are vulnerable if your internal system and the clarity around strategy don’t get stronger too.
People are so busy growing bigger they don’t ask what they can do to be stronger.
About Lawrence & Co.
Lawrence & Co. is a growth strategy and leadership advisory firm that helps mid-market companies achieve lasting, reliable growth. Our Growth Management System turns 30 years of experience into practical steps that drive clarity, alignment, and performance—so leaders can grow faster, with less friction, and greater confidence.
About Kevin Lawrence
Kevin Lawrence has spent three decades helping companies scale from tens of millions to hundreds of millions in revenue. He works side-by-side with CEOs and leadership teams across North America, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and Europe, bringing real-world insights from hands-on experience. Kevin is the author of Your Oxygen Mask First, a book of 17 habits to help high-performing leaders grow sustainably while protecting their mental health and resilience. He also contributed to Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0). Based in Vancouver, he leads Lawrence & Co, a boutique firm of growth advisors.