Here's something I learned about leadership as a minority partner in a failing small business: hyper-focus on the mission can be lethal if you're not careful.

Ten years ago, I was one of four executives in a small business with big dreams. Over four years, we grew revenue from $800K to $6M. We had 30 employees. Then the business failed.

Why did it fail?

It wasn't the economy. It wasn't a lack of knowledge. It sure wasn't a lack of effort.

It failed because the four of us were too focused on the mission. And not focused enough on the people helping us get there.

We Grew at All Costs

That extra revenue from last quarter? Straight into expensive radio and TV ads. And a bigger headcount.

The profit-sharing bonuses we promised the employees who made that revenue possible? Never came.

Management didn't take bigger paychecks either. But the employees didn't know that.

What they saw: more sales on the board. It was no secret we were making more money as a company.

What they didn't see: payroll was a near-monthly crisis. We borrowed against accounts receivable just to make it. Every single month.

Trust Doesn't Survive a Gap Like That

Because of the gap between what employees saw and what our P&L actually said — trust eroded. Fast.

Some people left. Others quiet quit. And all four of us took real pay cuts just to keep the lights on.

We'd gotten blinded by the mission. Tunnel vision. The dream turned into a nightmare.

What I'd Tell That Version of Me Now

I'd tell him the P&L doesn't lie, even when the sales board does.

I'd tell him a bonus you promised and didn't pay is worse than never promising one at all.

I'd tell him growth isn't the goal. Survival is. Growth is just what happens after you've earned the right to it.

And I'd tell him the four of us weren't bad people. We were good people making one bad call at a time — the same lack of self-discipline that costs every leader eventually — and none of us stopped to add them up until it was too late.

Growth for Growth's Sake Isn't Leadership — It's Stupidity

That's the whole lesson. Chasing growth at the expense of everyone helping you get there isn't ambition. It's a countdown clock, and your team can feel it ticking even when you can't.

Marching Orders

If you want to lead smarter than we did, take the free 3-minute leadership assessment. Your mission starts here.