{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/66677cafc446540011f2a41c/6869e54591efcd9815881a27?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"EP56 Simplify to Scale: The Secret to Smart Growth with Kevin Lawrence","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/66677cafc446540011f2a41c/1751857235691-d07345c9-0d06-4a72-a622-31ed5e207ee3.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p><strong>What if your strategic plan is actually holding you back?</strong></p><p>In this episode of <em>The Mike Method</em>, Mike sits down with leadership advisor and author Kevin Lawrence for a no-nonsense conversation about the often-misunderstood difference between improvement and <em>growth</em>. Kevin brings powerful insight from his decades of coaching CEOs, and he doesn’t shy away from the hard truths — especially the ones leaders need to hear. Kevin’s career spans over 25 years, across a dozen countries and four continents. He’s worked with hundreds of CEOs and executives, helping them to break through business challenges, grow their companies and find personal success along the way.</p><p><br></p><p>He introduces the concept of <strong>spatial disorientation in leadership</strong> — a condition pilots experience when they lose track of direction — and draws compelling parallels to what happens when CEOs get too caught up in day-to-day operations and lose sight of what really matters.</p><p><br></p><p>They dive into:</p><ul><li>Why <strong>writing a book is like building a company</strong> — painful, humbling, and ultimately transformative</li><li>How strategic plans can become liabilities when they’re overly complex or not truly aligned with growth</li><li>The crucial difference between <strong>improvement and growth</strong> — and why chasing efficiency might be pulling you away from long-term success</li><li>The four forces of growth, and how great leaders learn to <strong>balance strategic vision with operational demands</strong></li><li>Why the messiness of growth isn’t something to fix — it’s something to embrace</li><li>How <strong>simplicity in strategy</strong> leads to better execution and a more focused team</li><li>Why <strong>performance cultures outperform comfort cultures</strong> every time</li><li>And the mindset shift leaders need: focusing on <strong>opportunities, not just problems</strong></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Whether you're leading a startup or a seasoned organization, this episode will challenge you to rethink your approach to growth — and inspire you to lead from a place of clarity, not chaos.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Episode Resources:</strong></p><p>Kevin Lawrence: <a href=\"https://lawrenceandco.com/kevin-lawrence\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Website</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.amazon.ca/Your-Oxygen-Mask-First-Leadership/dp/1619617838\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Your Oxygen Mask First: 17 Habits to Help High Achievers Survive &amp; Thrive in Leadership &amp; Life&nbsp;</a></p><p>Learn more about <a href=\"https://www.virtusinc.com/shop/p/manager-essentials\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Manager Essentials</a> at ViRTUS</p><p>ViRTUS: <a href=\"https://www.virtusinc.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Website</a> / <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/virtus.inc/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram</a> / <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/284723/admin/dashboard/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Sign up for our Newsletter:<a href=\"https://www.virtusinc.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> Sign Up</a></p>","author_name":"Mike Desjardins"}