Why Growing Your Business Starts With Growing Yourself

Selfish Leaders Build Better Businesses

“Selfish” is a dirty word in business circles. Leaders are taught to pour everything into their team, their customers, their systems—never themselves. But here’s the hard truth: if you don’t invest in yourself, you’re sabotaging your business. Your growth sets the pace for your company’s growth, and no amount of hustle or grit will change that.

The most successful entrepreneurs didn’t achieve greatness by running themselves into the ground. They grew their businesses by growing themselves—mentally, emotionally, and strategically. They embraced “selfishness” not as a flaw but as a powerful, necessary leadership trait.

If you’re serious about scaling your business, it’s time to flip the script on what selfishness really means.

Your Business Is a Reflection of You

Look at your business’s biggest challenges. Struggling to delegate? Stuck in reactive decision-making? Can’t seem to retain top talent? These are leadership problems, not business problems.

• If you haven’t learned to trust others, your business will remain small.

• If you haven’t learned to prioritize your time, your business will feel chaotic.

• If you’re avoiding hard decisions, your business will stagnate.

Your company mirrors your strengths and weaknesses as a leader. And if you’re not actively growing, you’re holding it back. This isn’t about shame; it’s about opportunity. Because when you evolve, everything evolves with you.

Think about leaders like Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group. His success didn’t come from micromanaging tasks—it came from prioritizing his own vision, energy, and curiosity. He invested in developing a mindset that could lead multiple ventures without losing focus. (Source: Virgin.com)

The Case for “Selfish” Leadership

When I say “selfish,” I don’t mean ignoring your team or customers. I mean prioritizing yourself so you have the capacity to show up as your best, most effective leader.

Here’s what happens when you embrace positive selfishness:

1. You Gain Clarity
   When you take time to think, learn, and reflect, you stop making decisions out of stress or guesswork. Clarity saves you time, energy, and costly mistakes.

2. You Set the Standard
   Your team will only take growth as seriously as you do. By prioritizing your own development, you create a culture where growth is expected and celebrated.

3. You Show Up Better
   A burned-out leader isn’t inspiring or effective. Investing in your own energy—through rest, coaching, or personal pursuits—gives you the stamina to lead with purpose.

4. You Build Something Sustainable
   Selfish leaders don’t just chase short-term wins. They make decisions with a clear, long-term vision because they’re operating from a place of strength, not scarcity.

Take Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx (www.spanx.com). Her success wasn’t about grinding herself into exhaustion—it was about cultivating confidence, resilience, and strategic thinking. She knew that personal growth was non-negotiable for building a billion-dollar business.

How to Invest in Your Own Growth (Without Guilt)

If prioritizing yourself feels uncomfortable, start small.

1. Block Out Thinking Time
   Growth doesn’t happen in the whirlwind of tasks and meetings. Schedule regular time to think, strategize, and reflect on your role as a leader.

2. Get a Coach or Mentor
   The best leaders don’t grow alone. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, hold you accountable, and push you toward better decisions.

3. Focus on Energy, Not Just Time
   Stop glorifying the “busy” badge. Instead of measuring success by hours worked, measure it by the impact you create. Protect your energy through sleep, exercise, and boundaries.

4. Learn Relentlessly
   Read books, take courses, attend workshops—anything that stretches your perspective and skill set. The more you grow, the more value you bring to your team and customers.

5. Own Your Vision
   Your job isn’t to do everything; it’s to define where your business is going and inspire others to get there with you. Don’t get lost in the weeds. Stay focused on the big picture.

Your Growth Is the Greatest Investment You’ll Make

Too many entrepreneurs treat personal growth like a luxury—something they’ll get to when “things calm down.” But here’s the truth: things won’t calm down until you step up as a stronger leader.

Your business doesn’t need a martyr. It needs a visionary. Someone who leads with clarity, energy, and conviction. Someone who prioritizes their own evolution because they know it’s the best way to serve their team, their customers, and their mission.

Stop waiting. Start growing.

If you’re ready to scale your subscription business with confidence and clarity, join my 2-Day Subscription Business Model Workshop. Learn how to lead, grow, and build a business that reflects your fullest potential. Sign up here.