Navigating the Pressure to Grow: Insights from a Culture-Focused Entrepreneur
Growth doesn't always come from chaos. Sometimes the pressure to expand kicks in after the systems are in place, the team is solid, and the foundation is stable. It’s a weird tension—things are technically working, but there’s still an internal (or external) push whispering, "More."
This is a look inside that exact moment—what happens when you’re no longer scrappy, but you’re not settled either.
Exploring Leadership Tensions
There’s a particular kind of pressure that shows up once your practice is running smoothly. It’s not necessarily about fixing broken systems—it’s about navigating ambition, market demands, financial realities, and the expectations (real or imagined) that keep tugging at your leadership role. Recognizing that this tension can exist even when things are good is step one.
Understanding Personal Expectations and Drive
Sometimes, growth isn’t driven by ego or external validation—it’s just a ball of energy in your chest that needs somewhere to go. For mission-driven leaders, this often looks like wanting to do right by your team, maximize your impact, or fully live out your values. But that internal motor doesn’t shut off just because the engine is running smoothly. And the moment you ignore it? That’s when misalignment creeps in.
The Dynamics Between Excitement and Compulsion in Growth
Let’s be real: new ideas are sexy. Building something from scratch, creating systems, making shit happen—that part’s fun. But maintenance? That’s often where the fire fizzles out. Knowing what kind of energy you thrive on (visionary vs. maintainer, builder vs. sustainer) is vital. If the growth starts to feel compulsory, it’s a sign you might be chasing the wrong metrics—or doing it the wrong way.
Evaluating Contentment and the Necessity of Change
Here’s a question that hits hard: If nothing changed in your business for the next 6–12 months, would you be unhappy… or just uncomfortable? That discomfort can be your invitation to refine—not necessarily overhaul. Growth doesn’t have to be loud. It can look like clarity, depth, alignment, or optimization.
The Role of Financial Realities in Business Growth
Profitability is not just about lining your pockets. It’s about ensuring the sustainability of the business, especially when you’re building a values-aligned practice. Still, financial urgency is real—especially when clinician count dips, overhead stays steady, and future planning gets tight. That pressure is valid… but it doesn’t have to be the only voice in the room.
Differentiating Healthy Growth from Forced Growth
Healthy growth feels like expanding your roots—not just stretching your reach. Forced growth is linear, rigid, and often unexamined. One keeps you grounded while building upward. The other can leave you questioning why you’re even building in the first place. The difference lies in intentionality and ongoing alignment checks.
The Importance of Intentional Growth
If your leadership feels heavy right now, take a step back. Ask yourself what growth really means for you in this season. More money? More people? More freedom? More fulfillment? Intentional growth isn’t just about adding—it’s about deepening. Sometimes growing a practice means growing your clarity more than your headcount.
Conclusion and Call to Action
If this tension resonates—if you’re standing on stable ground but still feeling the pull to evolve—you’re not alone. You’re exactly who the EOS Mastermind is designed for: growth-minded, culture-focused leaders ready to expand with intention.
Doors open May 26 and close June 2, and space is limited.
👉 Join the waitlist now at www.taravossenkemper.com to get the details first.
And if you want to dive deeper into the conversation about pressure, growth, and value-driven leadership, tune into the full podcast episode here:
🎧 Listen to “Navigating Leadership Tensions: Growing from a Stable Foundation”
About the Author
Dr. Tara Vossenkemper is a gently-candid consultant who’s been in the trenches of group practice ownership since 2017. With a hearty blend of depth, irreverence, and a solid dash of humor (or so she hopes), Tara helps practice owners navigate the can-be-messy process of hiring, culture-building, vision generating, people-y issues, and all the other things that keep you up at night. When she’s not consulting, she’s probably wrangling her animals or homeschooling her kids—because why not add more chaos to the mix?
Ready to dive deeper into practice culture? Join the membership and get access to the tools and insights that make thriving, sustainable practices more than just a pipe dream.
