There are many leadership growth strategies one could follow, however there is one that has served me best. Growth Starts Where Comfort Ends. Growth and comfort rarely coexist. Here’s how high-performing leaders use strategic discomfort, short-term goals, and real commitment to accelerate leadership development.

Growth starts where comfort ends—leadership thrives in uncertainty.

If you’re working hard but not moving forward, you might be stuck in your comfort zone. In leadership, business, and life, progress happens when we step into uncertainty and make commitments that last beyond the initial motivation. This article offers research-backed strategies you can apply today.

Leadership Growth Strategies Lessons from a Mentor: The Wake-Up Call

  One of my great mentors, Dr. Danny Drubin, had a simple way to cut through excuses. If he sensed I was stalling, he’d call and say only:“It’s time to get uncomfortable.” No pep talk. No hand-holding. Just a reminder that progress lives outside what feels safe. Every time I leaned into discomfort, growth followed.    

Why Discomfort Is a Leadership Superpower

Discomfort isn’t a problem—it’s a signal that learning and adaptation are happening. Neuroscience shows that pushing beyond the familiar heightens focus and creates the conditions for neuroplasticity—your brain’s ability to change and improve performance. See the research and practical tools from Dr. Andrew Huberman’s work on focus and learning (Huberman Lab).
  • Own a project with uncertain outcomes.
  • Have the hard conversation you’ve delayed.
  • Make the bold decision without a guaranteed safety net.
If you’re not a little nervous, you’re probably not growing.

The Pain Principle: Why Growth Hurts Before It Helps

Like a return to the gym, leadership growth is uncomfortable at first. The “soreness” you feel during change is your leadership muscle rebuilding stronger. The Center for Creative Leadership’s 70–20–10 model shows that about 70% of leadership development comes from challenging assignments, not classrooms (CCL).

Commitment: The Finisher’s Advantage

Starting is common; finishing is rare. Build staying power by:
  1. Anchoring your why: tie the work to a purpose bigger than the discomfort.
  2. Planning for resistance: expect motivation dips and pre-decide your response.
  3. Tracking progress: score micro-wins so momentum becomes visible.
As John C. Maxwell puts it, “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily.” (source)

Small Wins, Big Impact: The Science of Short-Term Goals

Motivation fades; systems sustain. Research from Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer shows that visible progress on meaningful work is one of the strongest drivers of engagement and creativity (Harvard Business Review). Try these short-term leadership goals over the next 30 days:
  • Hold 15-minute weekly 1:1s with each direct report, focused on obstacles and progress.
  • Pilot one new customer engagement behavior and measure a single metric.
  • Capture one actionable insight per week from a book, podcast, or peer—and apply it.

Your Leadership Challenge

Identify one area where you’ve been playing it safe. Take one bold step this week, and commit to continuing after the initial excitement fades. Growth isn’t about eliminating discomfort—it’s about navigating it with confidence. What’s one uncomfortable action you’ll take this week? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear your story.

Bring This Message to Your Team

Want a high-impact keynote or leadership workshop on building resilience, accountability, and momentum? Book Dr. Rick for your next event.